Richard Halsey

Richard Marvin Halsey, 85, of Yakima, died Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at Cottage in the Meadow. Richard was born February 17, 1930 in Yakima to Harley Hobert and Hazel Matilda (Warrior) Halsey. He attended schools in Moxee and graduated from Moxee High School in 1948 where he was valedictorian of his class. Richard also played football, basketball and baseball. Following graduation he attended Central Washington College, majoring in biology. While at CWC he learned to fly small airplanes with his longtime friend, Tom Eglin. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951 and served in Okinawa as a meat and dairy inspector assigned to the Veterinary Corps. This experience later played a part in helping his children and their friends with determining if they needed stitches and the removal of them. He was discharged in 1953 as a corporal and then completed eight years with the United States Army Reserve. Richard was proud to serve his country by being in the military. Following his military service he worked at Hanford from 1953 to 1962 as a biochemist. Richard (Dick) married Noreene Francis Smith in Yakima on September 20, 1957. She tragically died in a house fire on December 4, 1993. He began his accounting practice in 1962 with his father-in-law, Earl “Smitty” Smith at E.L. Smith and Co., later becoming R.M. Halsey and Co. His son, Bill, bought the practice in 1985 and Richard retired in 1991. He moved to Yakima from Terrace Heights in 1995. Richard was a charter member of the Terrace Heights Presbyterian Church, VFW and Lions Club. Richard enjoyed camping, especially when his children were younger. He especially enjoyed Ohanapecosh, the Oregon Coast, Yellowstone National Park and Lake Wallowa in Oregon. On most camping trips his sister, Arelene Dahl, and her children, Rick Dahl, Vicky Jones and Randy Dahl joined them. In later years he and Maxiene enjoyed several camping trips in their travel trailer, and other trips. He enjoyed bird and rabbit hunting in the Moxee and Terrace Heights areas as a teenager. Another thing he enjoyed was fishing, especially while camping, at Westport with Noreene, and trips to British Columbia with Bill and his friends. He also had fun cooking and gardening. Richard is survived by his loving companion, Maxiene Coleman, of Yakima; a son, William “Bill” Halsey and wife Charlene, of the Nile; daughter Debbie Matson and husband Dave, of Union Gap, and daughter Laurie Camden and husband Tom “Skip,” of Selah. Also surviving are Maxiene’s daughter, Cindy Meyers, of Yakima, and son, Mike Coleman and wife Laurie, of Yakima. Surviving grandchildren are Nathan Halsey of Clarksville, TN, Andrea Cartmell of Selah, Mike Fife of Selah, Courtney Donaldson of Yakima, Brandon Holt of Gleed, Devon Matson of Yakima, Danae Matson of Renton, Michelle Rathbun of Selah and Richard Guckert of Killeen, TX. Also surviving are Maxiene’s grandchildren, Amy Meyers of Yakima, Matth Meyers of Issaquah, Michelle Brown of Pullman, Jayme Quinell of Selah and Angela Brown of Las Vegas, NV; 17 great grandchildren, and three on their way. He was preceded in death by two great granddaughters. Also surviving are his best friend and sister, Arlene Dahl of Terrace Heights; two sisters-in-law, Karen Jackson and Saundra Gale, both of Yakima; several nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Buffy. A celebration of Richard’s life will be held Saturday, January 23rd at 10:30 AM at Valley Hills Funeral Home, 2600 Business Lane, Yakima. Cremation has been held. A special thanks to Memorial Hospice and Home Care Services and Cottage in the Meadow for their support to Richard and his family. The family suggests that, if desired, memorials may be given to either Memorial Hospice and Home Care Services or Cottage in the Meadow, both in care of Yakima Memorial Foundation, 2701 Tieton Dr., Yakima, WA 98902. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard Halsey, please visit our flower store.