Willard Ren

Willard L. Ren, 79, passed away in Spokane, Wash., on July 16, 2012.

Born in Wolf Point on Jan. 3, 1933, to Virginia (Remley) and Emery Ren, he was the second of seven children.

Will graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1951 and served four years in the Air Force. He met Betty Nigg Wheatley, a widow with three small daughters, and they were married on Nov. 7, 1959. Will worked throughout the Pacific Northwest on hydroelectric dams as a union carpenter and as a union ironworker.

They settled in Pomeroy, Wash., in 1967. Betty passed away on July 20, 1995. Will retired in 1996 and spent his time fishing in Wyoming, traveling with family and volunteering at the Pomeroy Food Bank.

Will was also preceded in death by his parents and brothers Michael, John and Robert.

Survivors include sons Wayde Ren and wife Crystal, of Pomeroy, Wash., and Steve Christianson, of Federal Way, Wash.; stepdaughters Deb Hallas and Jamie Bone and husband Mike, of Columbia Falls, and Betty Spencer and husband Will, of Elk, Wash.; brothers Douglas Ren, of Columbia Falls, and Terry Ren, of Helena; sister Roberta Taylor, of Libby; special niece Toni Ren, of Phoenix, Ariz.; 11 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside services were held July 21, 2012, in Pomeroy, Wash. The family requests donations be made to Northwest Children’s Home, of Lewiston, Idaho.