Edward Lee Heird

Edward Lee Heird, 76, of Walla Walla, peacefully passed away at home on April 8, 2023, surrounded by family, after a short battle with cancer.

Ed was born on June 30, 1946, to Jessie and Margie Heird in Crescent, OK. After briefly moving to Guthrie, OK., the family relocated to Cashion. Ed graduated from Cashion High School in 1965, where he was a high school basketball team member and was awarded the basketball king crown.

After graduation, Ed was drafted into the United States Army, ending up at Fort Lewis, WA. It was during this time, before being deployed to Vietnam, he met the love of his life, Patricia Brown. After dating for just a very short time, Ed was deployed to Vietnam, where he served his country for one year. One month after returning, he married Patricia, and they enjoyed 55 years of marriage. Ed and Pat went on to have two sons during their marriage, Jeff and Todd Heird. As a family, they enjoyed many things, but especially adventures in fishing and hunting. Ed's last fishing adventure was just a couple of short years before his passing, salmon fishing on the Columbia River with his wife and son Todd.

In 1981 Ed was hired at the Washington State Penitentiary. It was a tumultuous time when he was hired as the Penitentiary had just experienced riots in 1979 and 1980. Shortly after his employment, what is now known as the Department of Corrections would start operating the Penitentiary, and Ed would be one of its first employees. He retired from his job on his birthday in 2011 after more than 30 years of proudly serving his community.

Ed's biggest passion was his family. He loved them all unconditionally, and his eyes would light up spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Alexis Heird and Andy Bly, their daughters, Raelynn Moss and Emberlee Bly, Makayla Heird and Andrew Kowalski, Robert Heird, and Joshua Rogers (Dulce), and their son Damion.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Jessie and Margie Heird; his sister, Barbara; and his brother-in-law, Bobby Poplin.

Ed is survived by his wife, Patricia; sons, Jeff (Jessica) and Todd; sisters, Wanda Poplin, Carolyn Poplin (Billy); brothers, Harold (Mary), Larry, and David (Cathy); as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

There will be no funeral service held per Ed's request. A celebration of life will be held at the Walla Walla VFW on June 3, 2023, at 1:00 PM.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Walla Walla VFW or the Wounded Warrior Project in Ed's name through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362. In addition, friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.