Wilfred L Barnett

May 6, 1918 - January 14, 2011

Wilfred Leroy Barnett was born May 6, 1918, in Hollow, Oklahoma, to Deloss and Stella (Neal) Barnett. They moved from near Coffeyville, Kansas to Oregon when he was five years old. He was raised on a farm on River Road near Witch Hazel and educated in Hillsboro. He continued to live in the Hillsboro, Oregon community for 85 years of his life. He married Sue Santoro of Reedville on October 29, 1939. They were together for 71 years. He passed away January 14, 2011, with his sons by his side at Maryville Nursing Home in Beaverton, Oregon.

He served as a paratrooper in the United States Army from March 20,1945 to December 24, 1945, at the end of WWII. First, he was a member of the 101st Airborne Division for a very short time before being transferred to the 82nd Airborne Division for the majority of his training, and finally was transferred to the 460th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion which remained stateside and from which he received his Honorable Discharge.

Wilfred, known by many of his friends as "Willie" or "Barney", was a self-employed log truck driver and long haul trucker. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, tinkering, cardplaying, storytelling, country western music, rodeos, and watching his kids and grandkids play ball games.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Clarence and Eugene; and sister, Wilma Abbott.

He is survived by his wife, Sue of Beaverton; sons, Richard (wife Carol) of Beaverton, Larry (wife Annette) of McMinnville and Douglas Barnett of Beaverton; sister, Melva Hoar of Yakima, WA; grandchildren Julie, Jeff & Tony Barnett, and Keri Burke & Brian Barnett; great-grandchildren Mckinsey Barnett, and Peyton & AJ Burke; and step great-grandchildren Michael & Olivia Burke.

A Celebration of Life was held at 1:00 PM, on Thursday, January 20, 2011, in the Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Chapel followed by a fellowship and reception.

Online guestbook: www.skylinememorialgardens.com (with photo gallery/ video tribute).

Remembrances: Farmington Square - Beaverton Senior Care Community, 14420 SW Farmington Rd., Beaverton, OR 97005.

Arrangements: Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, Portland, OR, 503-292-6611.

Please visit this site for updates to Wilfred's story in words and pictures.