Joseph Roy Poirier

Joseph Roy Poirier passed peacefully into heaven on January 20, 2026, at Providence St. Mary Medical Center, surrounded by his family. Roy bravely fought Stage 4 cancer for two years.

Roy was born to Joseph and Bertha (Bates) Poirier at the old St. Mary’s Hospital. He grew up on Blue Creek outside of Walla Walla, attending Sharpstein Elementary and Walla Walla High School. During his sophomore year, his family moved to South Fork Coppei Road near Waitsburg. At Waitsburg High School, Roy earned a varsity letter as manager of the football team, sparking a lifelong passion for the game. He was also active in the FFA, showing steers, participating in livestock judging, and attending the National FFA Convention in Kansas City. Over the past 40 years, Roy never missed an alumni reunion dinner, maintaining lifelong friendships with his classmates. He was the last living member of the Class of 1949.

Roy earned a scholarship to attend Washington State University; however, he felt a strong responsibility to help his family with their logging business. He was a lifelong WSU Cougars fan. Roy also worked on a sheep ranch near Wallula Junction, regularly sending his paycheck home to help his parents. In 1952, Roy and his brother joined the Washington State National Guard, where Roy was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Roy was always modest about his military service and remained close friends with many of the men in his unit, visiting them and staying connected well into their later years.

In 1963, Roy purchased a farm on North Fork Coppei Road. He raised cattle well into his 90s and was a faithful steward of his farm until his passing. In 1966, Roy began working for Birdseye, driving pea viners, often sharing stories of navigating them up the Lewiston Grade. Roy was very proud of his 27 years with Birdseye (later D&K Frozen Foods), retiring in 1993. He joined a group of former co-workers for lunch every year to talk about the friendships and memories made there.

It was at D&K that Roy met Avelina Arellano. Their courtship was sweetly chaperoned by two of Avelina’s nieces, who translated their conversations, as Roy and Avelina did not yet speak each other’s language. They were married at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Walla Walla, and Avelina moved to the farm, where they spent the next 41 years together -- beginning each day by bringing in wood for the fireplace and raising their two daughters, Bertha and Christy.

Roy was the best father. He instilled in his daughters the values of faith, family, and farming. He would do everything with them -- going on outdoor adventures, riding roller coasters, playing sports in the yard, and teaching them to fence and buck hay. He was often the first to arrive and the last to leave at their many events. Roy’s love and pride for his daughters were boundless, and he would often say, “I have an outstanding wife and two outstanding daughters.” Even while battling cancer, he campaigned for his daughter when she ran for public office and stood proudly beside her at the Walla Walla County Courthouse on election night and at her swearing-in. For his youngest daughter, he eagerly awaited her calls from her international business trips and loved hearing about all the places she visited.

Roy lived a remarkable life. He was a man of deep integrity and authenticity. He was a skilled woodworker and welder. He had his own sawmill, cutting logs and building shops, sheds, and fences on the farm. In his 70s, Roy refurbished an antique combine and harvested wheat alongside his brother. He was a member of the Waitsburg Christian Church for over 30 years, serving on the Buildings and Grounds Committee. More recently, he was a member of the Waitsburg Presbyterian Church and faithfully attended services each Sunday until his illness advanced. Roy was known as a loyal neighbor, and those on the North Fork of the Coppei were like members of his own family.

Roy is survived by his wife, Avelina Poirier; his daughters, Bertha Clayton (Scott) of Walla Walla and Christy Poirier of Seattle; and his three granddaughters, Madeline, Natalie, and Olivia Clayton, who lovingly called him “Papa”. He is also survived by his brother, William Poirier of Milton Freewater, OR; a first cousin, Bill Lythgoe of Walla Walla; and many cherished cousins, nieces, and nephews on both the Poirier and Arellano sides of the family. Roy also leaves numerous lifelong friends whom he treasured. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Carol Poirier.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026, at 11:00 AM, at the Chapel of the Herring Funeral Home in Walla Walla. Burial will follow at the family plot at Mountain View Cemetery, Walla Walla, WA. Roy loved visiting and sharing a good meal. Our family invites you to join us for a luncheon reception at St. Francis Parish Hall, 712 W Alder Street, Walla Walla, WA, following the burial.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Roy Poirier’s memory to the Providence St. Mary Foundation of Walla Walla 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.

As a family, we extend our deepest gratitude to the ICU staff at Providence St. Mary Medical Center for the exceptional care, compassion, and love they showed our dad and our family. We will never forget it.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23.