Obituary of Bennie Walter Ator

"Mr. Wunnerful" passed away at his home in McCleary, WA on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at the age of 71. At the time of his passing he was surrounded by his family, close friends, and kitties. Bennie is survived by his wife of 37 years, Pamela, sister, Cheryl (Jess) Foster of Elma, WA, brother, Francis “Bud” (Tarey) Ator of Elma, WA and brother, Rodney (Sandy) Ator of Shelton, WA, two sons, Charles Ator and Richard Gurley as well as two grandchildren. Bennie was preceded in death by his parents, Bennie Ator and Betty (Smith) Ator. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews who were extremely fond of their Uncle Ben Ben. While attending Elma High School, Bennie was employed at the McCleary Stimulator Newspaper. Following graduation from Elma High School in 1961, Bennie joined the United States Air Force. Upon completion of his service, Bennie went to work for Holcomb Logging and then Simpson Timber. Bennie retired from Simpson (Green Diamond) Timber after 35 years with the company. Bennie was extremely involved in the community he lived in having served on the McCleary City Council, fulfilling the role of Treasurer for the McCleary Food Bank, as well being a volunteer for the AARP Tax Program. In 2013, Bennie was the first recipient of the McCleary Unsung Hero Award. Bennie enjoyed golfing, fishing with Gilley in Forks and making Delories’s dill pickles with the “Pickle Crew”. A potluck Celebration of Life will be held on August 2, 2015 at the McCleary VFW at 1:00 pm. For further information, please contact Vickie Nunez or Patty Lott. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the East Grays Harbor Cancer Fund, in c/o FOE PO Box 519 Elma, WA 98541 – 0519 or the McCleary Food Bank PO Box 1065 McCleary, WA 98557.