Clarence Solly Edward Soliday

Clarence (Solly) Edward Soliday, 96, went home to be with his Lord Jesus Monday, January 2, 2017. Solly was born November 6, 1920 in Phillips, WI to Clayton Andrew Urban & Bessie Soliday. The family, which included sisters “Teddy”, Beverly and Shirley, settled in Mitchell, SD. When Solly was a freshman in high school the family moved further west to Salem, OR. Solly was outstanding in high school boxing & football. He joined the Army National Guard while still in school at the age of 17 (he lied about his age) and was activated into full service following December 7, 1941. While stationed in Hawaii he met and married the love of his life, Lillian, on September 16, 1945. Following his military service, they returned to Dayton, WA. From there they moved to “the ranch” at Usk in 1948. Solly was hired by Washington Water Power as a Utility Man and was soon promoted to Plant Operator in 1950 at the Dalkena Power Station. The family had grown to include four sons by the time Solly was transferred to the Meyers Falls Station at Kettle Falls, WA in 1953. From Kettle Falls the family moved to Long Lake Power Station in 1959 where Solly was Superintendent of the Long Lake and Little Falls Power Plants until his retirement in 1982. Throughout his adult life, he was active in the Republican Party, Masonic Lodge, Shriners, Melody Singers and the Dalkena Community Church. Solly became our resident Reflexologist and for years donated his foot therapy skills to anyone in need. As painful as they were, those treatments really worked! His most treasured times were spent supporting his sons and grandchildren in their athletic activities. When being honored by the State “B” Basketball Tournament someone calculated that he and Lil had traveled more than 750,000 miles, by car, over the years in support of those activities. Underlying all of his busyness was Solly’s unfailing faith and commitment to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and his desire to be a living example for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Everywhere he went he made lifelong friends. One of his Democrat friends was quoted as saying “I respect him (a Republican) more than a lot of my own colleagues in my own party.” He earned the respect and admiration of all who knew him. Preceding Solly in death were his wife, Lillian and sisters: Theis Sorrell, Beverly Stearns, and Shirley Olin. Solly is survived by four sons: Clayton (Patsy), Larry, Jack (Karen), and Ronald (Pamela), all of Reardan; fourteen grandchildren and thirty-four and eight/ninths great-grandchildren; his brother-in-law Doyle Koenig of Garrison, ND; sister-in-law Rosie Koenig of Underwood, ND and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks and deepest appreciation to the staff at The Academy Assisted Living Community (Spokane) for three years of loving care for our father and grandfather. Memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 15, 2017 at 2:00 PM at the Reardan Presbyterian Church, Reardan, WA. Interment will precede services at Forest Cemetery, Coeur d’Alene, ID. Memorials can be made to Dalkena Community Church, 425961 Highway 20, Newport, WA 99156; or the Reardan Deacons Fund (Food Bank) c/o Pastor Bill Ward, PO Box 209, Reardan, WA 99029. Please visit our online guestbook at www.stratefuneralhome.com, STRATE FUNERAL HOME, DAVENPORT, WA is caring for the family.