Elmer Winniford

Elmer Lee Winniford, 86, died Friday at home in Corvallis. He was born April 26, 1921 in Corvallis to Walter and Mina Winniford. His early childhood was spent in Eastern Oregon and Southern Idaho. His family homesteaded in the Snake River canyon and returned to farm on Smith Loop Road in 1933. Elmer graduated from Corvallis High School in 1939 and worked on his parents’ farm until enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1942. He served in the Pacific as an artillery gunner with the 3rd Marine Division and fought in the battles of Bougainville, Guam and Iwo Jima before returning home in 1945. In September 1946 he married Lois Humphrey. They settled on a farm in the Smith Loop area where they raised sheep and later ran a dairy. Elmer was a member and Past Master of the Willamette Grange. He worked at his farm 46 years and made the last trip there a few days before he died. In November 1979 Elmer married Betty Jo Rees. As he grew closer to retirement, the couple enjoyed traveling in the United States and the South Pacific. In 1994 they joined other members of the United States armed services in Guam for the 50th anniversary of the island’s liberation from Japan. They loved the Oregon coast and visited there at every opportunity. Elmer was an avid collector of record albums and Thornton Burgess books and never passed up a used book shop or antiques store. He is remembered lovingly for his gentle sense of humor and memory for detail. His life stories were a favorite of family and friends. He is survived by his wife of nearly 28 years, Betty Jo; two daughters, Kay Winniford Hayden and husband Gene and Jean Winniford Gray and husband Gilbert, both of Corvallis; step-daughter Linda Shaffer and husband Nick of Tillamook; step-daughter-in-law Donna Rees of Oak Harbor, Wash.; four step-granddaughters; and eight step-great-grandchildren. Elmer was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; parents Walter and Mina Winniford; sisters Florence Smith, Wilma Rickert and Eileen Greene; brother John Winniford; and step-son Lloyd Rees. At his request, private burial was held by the family. Donations can be made to your favorite charity in care of McHenry Funeral Home, 206 N.W. Fifth St., Corvallis, OR 97330.

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Elmer Winniford

April 26, 1921 - October 12, 2007