Cecil Gene Pfeifer

Cecil Gene Pfeifer, age 89, passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at the Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center in Odessa, Washington. Cecil was born July 3, 1925, at the family farm north of Wilson Creek, Washington, to Philip and Annette Pfeifer; he was the sixth of twelve children. In 1928, the family moved from their farm north of Wilson Creek to the Pfeifer family homestead farm 7 miles north of Marlin, Washington. He graduated from Marlin High School, Class of 1943. On February 22, 1948, he married Edna Mae Alling. He and Edna Mae were divorced in 1980 after 32 years of marriage.

In April 1944, Cecil was drafted into the U.S. Army at the age of 18 to fight in World War II. He was inducted into the army at Fort Lewis, Washington. From there he traveled by troop train to Camp Roberts, near Paso Robles, California, for basic training. In September 1944, he was transferred to Camp Swift, near Austin, Texas, for combat infantry training where he became a member of the famous 10th Mountain Division (86th Mountain Regiment, 1st Battalion, “C” Company).

On December 10, 1944, he boarded the S.S. Argentina at Newport News, Virginia, and sailed for Italy. On December 23, 1944, the ship docked in Naples, Italy. On February 18 and 19, 1945, Cecil would have his first taste of combat during the 10th Mountain Division’s initial (and signature) battle of the war: the nighttime 1,500-foot climb and assault against the Nazis on Riva Ridge.

Cecil returned from Italy after the war arriving back in Newport News, Virginia, on the S.S. Westbrook Victory in early August, 1945. In October 1945, while at Camp Carson, Colorado, he was discharged from the draft army and re-enlisted in the regular army. In October 1946, Cecil was discharged from the army as a Corporal and returned to the family farm. He was extremely proud of his service during the war and of his Combat Infantryman Badge. He earned a Bronze Star medal for meritorious service in a combat zone.

In April 1947, Cecil was hired as the manager of the Wilson Creek Grange Supply. In October 1955, he was hired to take over the Standard Oil Company of California bulk plant in Wilson Creek as a wholesale oil products distributor. He delivered gas, diesel, stove oil and other petroleum products to a wide range of customers in Wilson Creek, Marlin, Stratford, Coulee City, and many places in between. In 1976, when Standard Oil decided to close the bulk plant, Cecil returned to work at Cenex (the old Grange Supply), retiring from there in 1987. He followed that retirement with a several-year, part-time stint as an attendant at Grant County’s solid waste drop box sites at Wilson Creek and Adco.

In 1965, Cecil was asked by the Wilson Creek mayor, his uncle Gus Pfeifer, if he would fill in as town marshal until they could find some one to fill the position permanently. He said yes, and that “temporary appointment” lasted until the late 1970s. Because the marshal was expected to be on duty all night, Cecil enlisted Eddie Mae to be marshal for half the night so he could get some sleep to be able to do his day job.

Cecil was very active in the community of Wilson Creek. He served as Grant County Fire District No. 12 Fire Chief for several years. He was a member of the American Legion for 68 years, serving as Post Commander at one point. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, as well as a member of the Wilson Creek Grange.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Charlene; his parents, Philip and Annette Pfeifer; two of his brothers, Howard and Ray Pfeifer, and three of his sisters, Lenora Wraspir, Gladys Nelson, and Iva Thrall; and his partner of 25 years, Joyce Oberg.

He is survived by his brothers Dale, Loren and Keith Pfeifer and sisters Lorene Arbuckle, Lois Starkel, Donna Rainey; his five children: Ron Pfeifer (Bienvenida), Sandi Pfeifer, Debbie Bilodeau (Les), Heidi Whitney and Mark Pfeifer (Erika). He is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Jason Pfeifer (Stephanie), Nathan Pfeifer, Adrian Pfeifer (Laura), Chalese Rabidue, Starr Carroll, Raymond Grove, Lacey Grove, Adam Pfeifer, Patrick Pfeifer, Keyton Bilodeau, Jadon Bilodeau, and by six great-grandchildren: Jaime Pfeifer, Annika Pfeifer, Ian Calhoon, Ava Calhoon, Alex Pfeifer, and Kaleb Pfeifer; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at the Wilson Creek Cemetery in Wilson Creek, Washington. Immediately following the service there will be a memorial luncheon at the Presbyterian Church in Wilson Creek.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to either the: Tenth Mountain Division Foundation, Inc. (by mail at 133 South Van Gordon Street, Suite 200, Lakewood, CO 80228 or online at www.10thmdf.org) or Disabled American Veterans (by mail at P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or online at www.dav.org).

Strate Funeral Home of Davenport is caring for the family. Please visit www.stratefuneralhome.com if you would like to sign the guestbook.