Ralph Leslie Yaw

Ralph Leslie Yaw passed away on the evening of November 15, 2024, at home, after a long battle with a bone infection. He was 79. He was looked after by his wife and daughter as well as the wonderful team at Walla Walla Hospice.

Ralph was born August 14, 1945, at General Hospital in Walla Walla, and lived at the family home in the small farming community of Dixie, Washington. He grew up as the second out of five children born to Clifford Yaw and Gladys (Fulton) Yaw. He married Lynne Hardin, his wife of 59 years, on March 6, 1965.

Ralph started work at Sears in the automotive department but moved up to sales, and then department manager. He worked at Sears for 25 years before becoming a salesman at Abajian Motors. Later he started his own handyman business, which kept him busy for several years until he was forced to retire at age 70 due to his health.

Ralph lived in the Walla Walla Valley all his life and in Dixie for much of it. During his residence in Dixie, he served his community as a volunteer firefighter for 35 years, as well as assistant fire chief and fire commissioner for the District 8 Volunteer Fire Department. He also served as president of the Dixie Cemetery Association, president of the Dixie Water Association, and a member of the Dixie School Board.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Jeanie Lee; and his brother, Larry Yaw; as well as a niece, nephew, and grandniece. He is survived by his wife, Lynne, at home; his daughter, Linda Marie Richardson Yaw, and son-in-law Ron Richardson of Kailua-Kona, HI; his son, James Lee Yaw, and daughter-in-law Charity (Janikowsky) of Walla Walla; and grandchildren Olivia Richardson-Yaw, Christopher Yaw, and Hallee Yaw, as well as his brothers, Bobbie Yaw (Helen) and Bill Yaw (Julie Selbo), along with numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Dixie Cemetery Association or Walla Walla Community Hospice 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.

There will be a Celebration of Life. Please contact a member of the family or the District 8 Fire Chief for details.