Bronell Ted Wilkey Obituary (1932

Bronell (BT), 82, of Lakebay, passed away peacefully, on Sunday, July 26th, 2015, with his loving family by his side at the family home. He was just two weeks shy of his 83rd birthday. He was a retired truck driver of 45 years with the Teamster's, an avid builder, sportsman, outdoorsman, and a jack of all trades, master of none! He was a Korean War Veteran of the U.S. Army. He enjoyed spending time with his family, going to the auction, barbeques, bon fires, and family get-togethers. He also enjoyed fishing, camping and attending the Rodeo's. He always looked forward to attending the Ellensburg Rodeo every year until his health went downhill and he couldn't travel anymore. BT was born in Blanchard, Oklahoma on Friday, August 13th, 1932. He was 3 days old when his family left Blanchard and moved to Corpus Christi, Texas. They lived on North Beach Island until he was 4 years old, then they moved to the mainland of Corpus Christi, where they lived until 1943. When they left Texas in 1943, they went to Folsom, California, and they traveled all over California, before settling in Marysville and later on, finally settling in Rio Linda. At the age of 15, he had obtained his Chauffer's License. In November 1952 in Yuba City, he went into the military and served from November 1952 until November 1954 in the Korean War. He left Marysville, California in March of 1955 and moved to Tacoma, Washington, where he spent the rest of his life. He was a truck driver with the Teamster's for 45 years, officially retiring in August of 1994. He worked for Seattle Transfer for 25 years and retired from Sea-Land in 1994. In 1990 he and his wife, Linda, bought 10 acres in Lakebay and began clearing it and getting it ready to live on. BT was so proud of his farm that he and his wife built along with the grandkid's that were there. He and Linda ran all the electrical, water, cable and phone wires. They then bought a mobile home and set that up, built a garage, a barn for his horses, a carport, and a covered storage area. He did love his horses. He was so proud of his Buckskin mare and her foal, he kept them right up until he could no longer take care of them, giving them to his sister-in-law and brother-in-law because he knew they would be well taken care of and he could see them whenever he wanted to. He also loved his dogs, Chia, Cuddle's and Chloe. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lois, mother of his children; parents, Elvin and Leota; brothers, Albert and Doug; sister, Louise; father-in-law, Ed Yusko; step-daughter, Mindy; best friend, Howard Holter of 50 years; loving and faithful dogs, Sparky, Jackson, and Achilles; many friends and relatives, as he shall not walk alone as he didn't in life. Family members include the love of his life, his wife, Linda of 40 years; his sons, Lawrence of Lakebay, Dean (Neitha) of Fircrest; daughter, Rhonda Marie of California; mother-in-law, Doris Yusko of Spanaway; 3 step-daughters, Tamara (Tim) of Georgia, Wendy (Craig) of Puyallup, and Missy of the home; 3 granddaughters, Sara (Renni), Reilly, and Jamie, all of California; 12 grandchildren, Robyn (Matt) and Jacob of Spokane, Alexus, Amir, and Kamren, all of Georgia, Adam (Jessical) Beau and Mackenzie, all of Puyallup, Jacob, active military, April of Gig Harbor, Justin and Alyssa, of the family home; 9 great-grandchildren, Lucien of California, Maddison and Matthew (Bubba) of Spokane, Jayden, Jamari and Jacobi, of Georgia, Kaylee and Henry of Puyallup, Vanessa of California; 5 brothers, Jay (Shirley), David, Raymond, Gary (Nancy), Elton, all of California; 4 sisters, Geneiva, Patricia (Bill) of California, Genell (Wayne), Kathy (Randy) of Oregon; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends. An Interment service will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery, 186020 S.E. 240th, Kent, WA, on Friday, August 14th at 9AM. Remembrances may be made to the Bischoff Food bank of Home, WA, the American Heart Association, Franciscan Lung Association, or a favorite charity of your choice. Cremation and arrangements by Haven of Rest, Gig Harbor. A celebration to honor his life will be held at a later date. American Lung Association822 John St, Seattle WA 98109Tel: 1-206-441-5100Web: http://www.alaw.org Bischoff FISH Food Bank1916 Key Peninsula Highway North, Lakebay WA 98349Tel: 1-425-444-2374Email: kpbischofffb@gmail.comWeb: http://www.kpbischofffoodbank.org/ American Heart Association1142 Broadway #120, Tacoma WA 98402Tel: 1-253-272-7854Web: http://www.heart.org