Willard Dale Eidson
Marriages
Joanne Doyle Eidson
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 5B Death Notice - April 5, 2018
Willard Dale Eidson, 88, Fruita, died March 30, 2018, at HopeWest Hospice Care Center. Services will take place at a later date. He was a California highway patrolman. Survivors include his wife, Joanne; one son, Donald of Dewey, Arizona; four daughters, Lizz Lantz of Mesa, Arizona, Mary Lamanno of Frisco, Texas, Ruth Burkhart of Grand Junction, and Sara Harper of Ventura, California; one sister, Maxine Lewis of Ventura; 13 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
The Daily Sentinel page 3D Obituary - April 8, 2018
Willard Dale Eidson April 5, 1930 - March 30, 2018
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Willard Dale Eidson. One week before his 88th birthday, in his adopted hometown of Fruita, Colorado on March 30, 2018, Willard took his last breath here with us and opened his eyes in heaven and joined his parents, John Raymond and Tressie; siblings, Ed, Erma Lea, and Margie, and oldest daughter, Kim in paradise. He was born in Ventura, California on April 5, 1930. He was the fourth of five children and grew up smack dab in the middle of the great depression. He always said he didn’t know he was poor however, because everyone who lived on "The Avenue" in Ventura were in the same boat. He loved his neighborhood and until his last day, he stayed connected to the friends of his childhood. His friends from Ventura High School (his class was 1948) were still so near and dear to his heart until the day he died. His "new" friends he made while living in Fruita these past two decades were such a delight, it was as if he’d lived in Fruita his whole life and was born there. In his life travels, he had never met a stranger, only new friends that hadn’t heard his stories yet. His great joy was to get a laugh or two from people and find a connection in this small world we live in. He found great joy in working hard and even greater joy in relaxing and laughing. He was always talking, telling stories, and teasing, whether at work or relaxing. His first job was at a mom and pop grocery store on the avenue at the age of 12, to earn money to help the family’s budget. As a teenager, he worked at Shaeffer’s Sporting Good on Main St., Ventura. He spent four years serving this great country of ours in the United States Air Force. As an adult, he worked for Southern California Gas and for Arrowhead Water before he joined the California Highway Patrol at the age of 31. Oh, the stories he would tell of his time working for the CHP. Drunks and naked people to name a few and horrible accidents that left a scar on his mind and heart – the changed lives he encountered daily were bitterly etched in his memory forever. His best stories however, were told of his colleagues and fellow officers. The profound connection that he shared between those men and women that experienced the hard toll of seeing the things you see when you are a peace officer and law enforcer. He sincerely loved every man and woman he served and shared his badge with. He is survived by his loving and patient wife of 63 years, Joanne Doyle Eidson; his son, Donald Eidson (Beth); his daughters, Elizabeth Lantz (Larry), Mary Lamanno (Mark), Ruth Burkhart (Jeff), and Sara Harper (Tim); his 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; his sister, Maxine Lewis, and many nieces and nephews. Willard leaves a legacy of laughter and story telling that will not soon leave those who knew and loved him. Everyone who knew him has a “Willard” story of their own. We’d love to hear them when we see you. A special thanks to HopeWest Hospice who brought peace and comfort in his final days. A memorial service is planned for April 21, 2018, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Fruita Colorado at 11:00 a.m. to celebrate a long life well lived
