Charles Edward Hereford, 82 of Thornton WA, passed away on May 1, 2022 .

Charles Edward Hereford was born on August 16, 1939 to Jim and L. Margaret (Ferguson) Hereford in Tekoa WA.  After graduating from Rosalia High School in 1957 he attended Washington State University for 1 year.

Ed was always a farmer/rancher. He would go to Tonasket WA to help work on the Ted Eberle Cattle Ranch and then down to Stanwood, WA and stay with his Aunt and Uncle Lee Hereford and help load frozen turkeys.  He then came back to farm with his father Jim Hereford for many years.  He married the "love of his life" of 47 years, Sept 30, 1961 Diane Marie Deeds of Plaza, WA.  They moved to Thornton, WA where they lived and raised their 3 children.  Diane passed away unexpectedly Dec 4, 2008.

Ed was a man of many talents – a pilot, master carpenter, A Deacon at Rosalia Baptist Church and Rosalia Fire Department Commissioner for several years.  In 1977 he was elected to the Whitman County Grain Growers Board of Directors then in turn elected to North Pacific Grain Growers and then to Harvest States Board of Directors; he represented WA, ID and OR.  He then retired from the Board in 1999 when Harvest States merged with Cenex.  Ed then sold the farm and went into business with his two sons in the fiber optic industry for the remainder of his life.

He was a wonderful and devoted father, husband and leader.  He always taught life lessons and supported us all throughout the many accomplishments and difficulties of our lives.  He will be greatly missed.  He retired to his house in Casa Grande AZ of 12 years, where he met many dear friends and used his carpentry skills on local remodel projects.

Ed Hereford is survived by his sister Karen Loesch of Rosalia, two sons and one daughter, Jed and Tricia (Rusch) Hereford of Thornton, Jacki and Aaron (Hereford) Kramer of Clarkston, Jim and Michelle (Samoray) Hereford of Spokane.  He is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren with one more arriving in August.

The family wishes to convey its most heartfelt appreciation to the wonderful staff at Whitman Hospital and Courtyard Assisted Living.  The family would like any memorials and contributions on his behalf be made to the Rosalia Fire Department.

A graveside service will be held Friday May 13 at 11:00 am, at the Thornton Cemetery and immediately following to the Rosalia Fire Department and Longhorn BBQ for a social gathering of friends and family. We would appreciate your presence but if you are feeling under the weather, please send us your "cares and wishes" from afar due to a family member with a compromised immune system, thank you for your understanding.  Corbeill Funeral Home of Colfax is caring for the family. On-line condolences may be made at www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com .