Willard Granberg

Willard M. (Bill) Granberg, 90, of Yakima passed away Thursday, March 10th at Cottage in the Meadow in Yakima. He was born to Swedish immigrants on July 28, 1925 in the family home in Balaton, Minnesota. Upon graduation from high school in Balaton in 1943, Bill enlisted in the US Navy. He graduated from the Navy’s diesel engineering school at Iowa State and was assigned as a Machinists Mate to a naval facility in Port Angeles, WA. That is where he met the love of his life, Mabel (Mary) F. Gaylord, a registered nurse. They were married in his home town of Balaton on December 27, 1946 in the home where he was born. After being discharged from the Navy, Bill worked as a mechanic/machinist for the family owned Chevrolet dealership in Balaton. In 1957, Bill, Mary and their first three children; Douglas, Richard and Kathy moved to Sunnyside, WA where they then welcomed their fourth child, Robert. Bill worked for C. Speck Motors for several years and then Roza Irrigation until retirement in 1990. Bill and Mary moved to Yakima in 2003 to be closer to their children. Bill and Mary have been members of Our Saviors' Lutheran Church in Sunnyside since 1957 and have been active members for 59 years. Bill was also active in Veterans organizations as a World War II veteran and has a place in the War Memorial at the Lower Valley Gardens in Sunnyside. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 69 years Mary; son, Richard of Terrace Heights; daughter, Kathy (Dan) McNulty of Terrace Heights and son Robert (Stacy) of Escalon, CA. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Shannon (Sean) Southards, Nikki (Tom) Howe, Danielle (Joey) Weedin, Stephen and Lauren Granberg. He is also survived by four great grandchildren; Grace, Hunter, Aubrey and Asher. Bill is survived by several cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws throughout the country and in Sweden. Bill was preceded in death by his parents Martin and Eda Granberg, son Douglas, four siblings and a great grandson, Cole Southards. Bill enjoyed working with wood and metal and took great pride in designing and building many things including a scooter and go-cart for his children. He was always willing to share his talents with others. For the last several years Dad enjoyed riding with his son Richard in the Yakima Veterans Day Parade. He appreciated the crowd’s thanks for, and recognition of his service to the country. It was never too cold for him in a convertible corvette in Yakima in early November! A viewing will be held at Valley Hills Funeral Home on Thursday, March 17th 4:00pm-7:00 pm (2600 Business Ln, Yakima). A private family interment will be held at the Terrace Heights Cemetery and a Memorial Service will be held at 2:00pm Friday, March 18th at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Sunnyside (1106 Taylor St.). Dad, you will be missed so much, but never forgotten. We all love you! Thanks for being the wonderful man that you were! It is time to “stand down” sailor! To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Willard Granberg, please visit our flower store.