Buddy Joe Heimbigner

Buddy Heimbigner, 84, Beloved Husband, Father, and Educator

Our beloved Buddy passed away peacefully at home March 8, 2025, with his family by his side.

Buddy was born to Carl and Vernice (Braden) Heimbigner on January 30, 1941, in Susanville, CA. The family, including sister Donna, moved to Walla Walla, where sister Carlene was born. Buddy attended Green Park Elementary and Pioneer Junior High School, graduating from Wa-Hi in 1959.

Prior to leaving for college, Buddy worked as a farmhand and for Continental Can. He attended Central Washington University in Ellensburg, where he received both his bachelor’s degree and his master’s degree in education.

He began his teaching career in Kettle Falls, WA before returning home to Walla Walla in 1973 where he began his career as principal of Washington Elementary School. He returned to his own elementary school, Green Park, as principal and retired from Blue Ridge Elementary School.

Buddy was first married to Kathy Beckman (Hanford) and together they had John and Jennifer. Later, he found love again with Janet Heimbigner, mother of Jeff, his devoted wife until his passing.

Buddy married Janet Heimbigner (Sorenson) on May 3, 1975, in Coeur D’Alene ID. Janet remained his adventure partner in life until he passed. Their family included children John Heimbigner (Randa), Jeff Sorenson (Angela), and Jennifer Pedersen (David), grandchildren Andrew, Jenifer, and Michael Miller, Jessica Heimbigner, Lucas and Josie Sorenson, and Riley Pedersen, and one great-grandchild, Bryson Irizarry.

Buddy and Janet loved the outdoors and spent many weekends, holidays, summers, and winters at the family cabin at Anthony Lakes, OR, where he loved to fish, ski, and snowmobile. They also lived for 6 years in paradise, in Poipu, Kauai, before the call of Walla Walla brought them home. They continued to winter in Kauai for several years after, until Buddy’s illness kept them closer to home.

Buddy was an accomplished airplane pilot, who loved flying his adoring wife all around the Northwest. He was also an avid golfer who had at least one hole-in-one shot at his second home, the Walla Walla Country Club. He loved tending to his garden, keeping up maintenance on his home, and was a member of the Walla Walla Gun Club for many years.

He is survived by his beloved wife Janet, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandson, and numerous nieces, nephews, and loving friends. Buddy was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Donna (Ralph) Shively and Carlene (Ron) Straw, daughter in law Trisha Heimbigner, and son in law David Pedersen.

Buddy will be remembered as a loving educator who touched lives over the course of his career. His kindness and unwavering dedication to the children of Walla Walla will long be remembered.

At Buddy’s request, there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Walla Walla Humane Society in his honor through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.