Willard John Carlson

WILLARD JOHN CARLSON MAY 6, 1923 JULY 3, 2010 Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Willard John Carlson, passed away on Saturday, July 3, 2010. Willard was born in 1923 to Swedish immigrant parents Oscar and Gerda Carlson in Spokane, WA. Willard's sisters are Eleanor Ward, Spokane, WA, (deceased 2010); Dorothy Hume, University Place, WA; and Jeanette Johnson, Spokane, WA. Will Carlson enlisted in the Army Air Corps during WWII and was airplane commander of the heaviest bomber at that time, the B-24 Liberator. He flew 40 missions in the South Pacific as squadron and group leader being recognized with the Oak Leaf medal and five clusters. His education includes graduating from North Central High School and Kinman Business College in Spokane, WA. He resumed his education after WWII at the University of Washington, achieving a degree in economics and business. Will met Norma Kirby and they were married on September 28, 1951 at Central Christian Church, Spokane, WA. They were blessed with three children, Bradley John, Jon Kelly and Ingrid Celeste (deceased 2009). Will's professional career began as office manager of several small mining companies in Spokane that were affiliated with Sunshine Mining Company of Coeur D'Alene. He also spent a short period of time with the Union Pacific Railroad and the Illinois Central Railroad. Will learned the cemetery business as general manager of two large cemeteries, Greenwood Memorial Terrace and Riverside Memorial Park in the 1960's in Spokane, WA. In 1968 Will became manager/part-owner of Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Vancouver, WA, and the Carlson family became sole owners in 1986. At EMG he dramatically grew the business to include mausoleums and niches. In 1974 EMG opened a funeral home on the property and a crematory in 2008. In 2004 they purchased Evergreen Staples Funeral Home business, also in Vancouver, WA. Will was especially proud to have three generations of his family operating the company. He was thankful everyday for the loyal employees at EMG. Will was a two term President of the Washington Cemetery Association and two term member of the Washington State Cemetery Board appointed by then Governor Dan Evans. He was active in business liaison with Boy Scouts Explorer Group and business section of United Way and a member of Kiwanis for many years. Will was an avid golfer and enjoyed membership at Royal Oaks Country Club for 28 years. He often stated Clark County was a wonderful area to live. Will is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Norma; son Brad and wife Mary; granddaughter Lindsay Fisher and husband PJ; great-grandsons Jack and Will; and granddaughter Megan all of Vancouver, WA. Also survived by son Kelly and wife Leslie; grandson Brian and wife Summer; granddaughters Laura and Emily all of Redmond, WA. Memorial service will begin 3:00 p.m., Saturday, July 10, 2010, Evergreen Memorial Gardens Cemetery and Funeral Chapel, 1101 NE 112th Avenue, Vancouver, WA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Cascade Pacific Counsel Boy Scouts of America 2145 SW Naito Parkway Portland, OR 97201

Willard John Carlson

May 6, 1923 - July 3, 2010