Willis Herbert Stock Obituary (1934

Willis H. Stock, 88, of Yakima, passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2023 while peacefully sleeping in his home; the way he hoped it would happen. Will (or Willie) was born on September 6, 1934, in Eureka, South Dakota to Carl and Lena Stock. He was the youngest of five, all brothers. At age 10, he moved with his dad to Wiley City where he briefly stayed before moving to Selah in 1945. He attended Selah High School where he was a standout baseball player for Selah-Naches and legendary coach Bill Carlon. Will was not a great student but one thing he found he could do well and enjoyed was typing. This talent would serve him well later in life. After high school, Will attended Yakima Valley College for one quarter to play baseball for Chuck "Bobo" Brayton who would go on to become the legendary coach at Washington State University. Will helped YVC repeat as State Champions in 1953. In 1954, Will and two of his friends intended to join the Navy. The Navy had a waiting list, but a Marine recruiter was nearby and took advantage of an opportunity. Two weeks later, Will and his buddies were getting off the bus in San Diego at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot for basic training. Will served for six years which included a 13-month stint in the Korean Conflict. One day, a senior NCO came and asked if anybody could type. Will said he learned in high school. After a try out, Will was moved to the office where he became what he called a "desk jockey". Will enjoyed his time in the Corps. He played baseball and volunteered each year for the USMC Toys for Tots program. He later confessed that while he enjoyed making the kids happy, he really did it because he would get to meet Miss San Francisco. Will was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 1960. After the Marine Corps, Will came back to the Yakima Valley and went back to work at L.P. Michelsen Company in 1960. Will had worked for Michelsen for two consecutive summers while in high school. The first summer he worked the box yard for 35 cents an hour. The second summer in 1952, he was promoted to lift truck driver. One day in 1961, a supervisor came to the box yard to see if anyone could type. Will said he typed while in the Marines. The following Monday, Will was promoted to the office where he stayed until retiring in 1997. Will really enjoyed Michelsen Company. He always said they took care of him. In 1958, Will took a bus from Camp Pendleton to Selah to visit family for Christmas. In San Francisco, he met a teacher named Georgina who was heading to Oregon for the holidays. They had a nice conversation. On the way back, Will and Georgina met on the bus again, starting a romance culminating in marriage on July 2, 1960, lasting 56 years until Georgina passed away on December 29, 2015. Together they had two sons, Steve born March 15, 1961 and Stan, born September 9, 1962. Will was active in fastpitch softball where again, he was a standout player with newspaper clippings to prove it! He played many years for Jed Athletics, being named an All Star several times. As he got older, Will played softball for Don Young Company as well as being an avid bowler with the occasional 600 series. He also played golf though not always so well. In the late 1960s, Will and Georgina went to Yakima Meadows to watch some horse racing. They became thoroughly hooked and it developed a passion for life. They took many trips to Longacres in Renton and Portland Meadows in Oregon. Will was a fixture at the Caribbean Casino for Simulcast Horse Racing. On Saturday, February 25, the day before he passed away, Will sent his son Stan down to the Caribbean to collect what would be his final winnings; $12.15. Will and Georgina also developed a fondness for cruises. They usually went on the Princess Line, traveling throughout the Pacific, South America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. Will was an avid season ticket holder for the Yakima Bears and Sun Kings. Will was preceded in death by his wife, Georgina, his parents Carl and Lena, and his four brothers, Harold, Chuck, Don, and Les. He is survived by his sons, Steve and Stan, numerous nephews and nieces, and many good friends. Will was a Frank Sinatra "I Did It My Way" type of guy. In lieu of flowers or donations, the sons ask that you keep your money. He wanted it that way. Will said many times in the last decade that he had lived a good life with not a lot of regrets. When his time came, he would be ready. He wanted everyone to keep their money and use it to live a good life their own way. Viewing is scheduled for Tuesday, March 14, 2023 from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 1:00pm at Shaw & Sons Funeral Home (201 N. 2nd St, Yakima, WA 98901), followed by a Graveside Service at Terrace Heights Memorial Park. Shaw & Sons Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.shawandsons.com. Visitation Shaw and Sons Funeral Home Tuesday, March 14, 2023 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM 201 N 2nd St. Yakima, Washington 98901 Funeral Service Shaw and Sons Funeral Home Wednesday, March 15, 2023 1:00 PM 201 N 2nd St. Yakima, Washington 98901 Graveside Service Terrace Heights Memorial Park Wednesday, March 15, 2023 2:00 PM 3001 Terrace Heights Dr. Yakima, WA 98901