James Blair Willner

He was born on July 1, 1936 to Herman and Josephine Willner in Omak, WA. He was the fourth out of five children. He passed away Wednesday, October 25th at his home in Newport.

In 1941 the family moved to the Spokane Valley where Jim started school. In 1948 the family moved to Newport and the first place they lived was at the base of Saddle Mountain. Then the family moved into Newport in the neighborhood where he would finish growing up with what would turn out to be his family's and live for the rest of his life.

Within the group of kids in the neighborhood he met Clara Slusser who would eventually become his wife on June 6, 1959. They had two children, Dan and Susan.

Jim worked at the Diamond Mill and Paynes Grocery store until 1963 when the local bread delivery driver recruited Jim to go to work for Eddy's Bread out of Spokane. Jim basically worked for the same bread company, only the names changed as it was bought and sold over the years. He worked 35 years delivering bread and only missed three days, two of which when he was in the hospital.

Jim enjoyed the outdoors hunting, fishing, cutting firewood, plowing snow and mowing the lawn.

Jim loved his family above all else. He and Clara raised their two children, Dan and Susan. Through years of babysitting, Nathan Carstens became part of the family.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and two brothers. He is survived by his wife, Clara of 64 years, his son, Dan Willner (Karen), of Newport, Susan Fowler (JB) of Oldtown. They have five grandchildren Cale Fowler, Kelsi Durant, Casey Fowler, Bret Willner, Jacob Willner and three great grandchildren Jace Fowler, Leland Hargrove, and Emerson Hargrove. Along with too many to count nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 3rd at 1:00 p.m. at the American Lutheran Church in Newport.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Spokane or the American Lutheran Church.

Sherman-Campbell Funeral Home in Newport WA is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are welcome to visit their website at www.shermancampbell.com