Alvin Hall Adams

Lifetime Touchet resident Alvin Hall Adams, 91, died peacefully Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, at Washington Odd Fellows Nursing Home.

Alvin was born at home on Aug. 8, 1920, in Touchet to Samuel Roy (S.R.) and Dottie “Blanche” Adams. Alvin was the descendant of pioneers who homesteaded outside of Touchet. He graduated from Touchet High School in 1938 and attended Washington State College.

He was working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers when he returned home to join the U.S. Navy in 1942. He was trained as a radio operator and was deployed in both the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean during World War II. He was very proud to have served his country in the Armed Guard. On his first leave home, he married Mary’O Yeend on Sept. 19, 1943. He returned home in 1945 to run the Touchet Mercantile with his father, and then later with his brother, John Adams. He was famous for his pork sausage and good stories. He retired from the store after 30 years in 1975 and became an investment representative until 2003.

He was an active member of the community, board member of the Touchet Telephone Company, founding father and commissioner of Fire District No. 6, board member during the development of the Touchet Water District, charter member of Touchet-Gardena Lions Club, Touchet Gun Club, Touchet PTA, Cub and Boy Scouts leader, Touchet Granger, Walla Walla regional Planning Commission, Citizen’s TV, VFW, Evergreen Dance Club, and played on Lowden and Touchet town baseball teams. He loved playing cards and dancing. He was honored to be named to the Touchet Hall of
Fame in 2009.

He and Mary’O raised seven children, Samuel (Carol) Adams of Kansas City, Mo., Donald (Lynda) Adams of Touchet, MayRene (Steve) Feider of Nine Mile Falls, Wash., Alvera Gaskins of Spokane, Marilyn Hines of Touchet, Alice Adams of Walla Walla, Christy Adams of Touchet. He had 14 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He is survived by his brother, John Adams. Alvin is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, an infant son, and his sister, Alice Lathrop.

The memorial service will be held at Herring Groseclose Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, at 2 p.m. officiating by Wally Fisher followed by a potluck gathering at the Touchet-Gardena Lions Hall at 4 p.m. A private family interment at Touchet Cemetery is planned. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Touchet Education Foundation or charity of your choice through Herring Groseclose Funeral Home.