Otis Lee Washington

Otis graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in Columbia, Missouri. He served in the US Army from March 1946 to September 1947, and was awarded the World War II Victory Medal. After his discharge, Otis returned to Columbia for a short time before eventually moving to Los Angeles, California. He ultimately settled in the Riverside, California area.

A self-taught artist, whose passion for art grew out of sibling admiration, Otis has been painting for most of his life. It began when his brother, who was 13 years old at the time, drew a picture of Douglass MacArthur in charcoal. Otis was 11 then, and wanting to be just like his brother, he started painting himself, and never stopped. He also never parted with that drawing his brother made, holding on to the tattered and frayed image until he passed.

Following his retirement, some 26 years ago, Otis began painting practically every day. After experimenting with several mediums, he finally settled on pastels. He viewed the fact that he was self-taught as a kind of freedom. A freedom that he said allowed him to go in any direction that he wanted because there were no set rules for him. In recent years, Otis has been the featured artist at the Hemet Valley Art Association's gallery; placed first in the Corona Art Association and Gallery art show; and has received numerous other awards and ribbons for his works. He taught art classes throughout the Inland Empire.

Otis was preceded in death by both parents; a brother, Leonard Burton; and a sister, Lorain Washington. He is survived by his sister, Leola Williams of Kansas City, Missouri; six loving nieces; three devoted nephews; and a host of close friends.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, April 12th, 2018 at 12:45 pm at the Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd, March Air Force Base, CA, 92518.