Danny Widner

Dan Widner of Zillah passed peacefully in his sleep on December 24, 2015 joining his parents Loyd and Lottie. Dan was born on December 19, 1948 in Harrison, Arkansas. Growing up Dan and his family spent their summers in Colorado; while his father Loyd worked in the logging camp. Dan joined him and spent his freetime fishing and hunting. In 1966, the family moved to Washington State settling in the Yakima Valley. He met his wife Amabel Rataezyk in 1967; they got married on August 9, 1969 and were married for 46 years. In their early years of marriage they were blessed with their first son Todd and four years later with their second son Tyler. He served in the United States Army in Fort Knox, Kentucky and Wiesbaden, Germany. While attending Yakima Valley Community College aspiring to become a veterinarian, he worked at Wapato Fruit Productswhere he found his passion in the fruit industry, and later moved to Del Monte working at both Yakima and Toppenish locations. Dan retired from Del Monte in October 2008, after 35 years with the company . During his retirement he became involved in the Zillah Lions Club and the Zillah American Legion. Those who knew Dan know of his passion for fishing, hunting, and sports. Dan’s passion for sports began in the 1980’s with his son’s Todd and Tyler and continued with his grandchildren. The greatest joy in Dan’s life was watching his grandchildren in their football, basketball, baseball, tennis, golfing and volleyball events. Walking into the sporting events everyone always looked forward to seeing Papa Dan sitting on the sidelines. Friends and teammates of his grandchildren considered Dan to be “one of the guys” and would high five him as they ran off the court or field. Dan was also given the nick names “PD” and“Dude Man” by his grandchildren and their friends. Papa Dan will always be remembered as Zillah’s and his grandchildren’s number one fan. Dan is survived by his sons, Todd (Brooke) of Selah, Tyler (Cecily ) of Zillah. Grandchildren Brady, Beaudry and Brynn (Zillah), Kyli, Tanner, Allyson (Yakima), and Brenan and Kiven (Selah).He is also survived by his sister Chris (Jim) O’Neal of Terrace Heights and niece Tammy and nephew Travis. The family will be honoring Dan’s dedication to Zillah sports by wearing Zillah colors of orange and black. We welcome those attending the funeral to do so as well. Funeral service will be Monday, January 4 at 1:00 p.m. at the Zillah Nazarene Church, located at 203 Miles Drive. Burial immediately following at the Zillah Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Andy Collins Memorial Scholarship Fund to Zillah student athletes on the behalf of Dan. Donations can be made to the family or to Key Bank. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Danny Widner, please visit our flower store.