WARD J. STRATTON, 86, a longtime Pullman resident and farmer, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013 at Pullman Regional Hospital. Ward was born May 17, 1927 in Pullman to George & Henrietta (Wendling) Stratton. He grew up and attended school in Pullman, graduating from Pullman High School. Ward joined the U.S. Navy CB's serving his country during WWII. He returned to Pullman and married Joyce Newman on June 19, 1949 in Walla Walla. Ward worked for a time at Milky Way Dairy and in 1954 the family moved to where they started Stratton's Dairy, which he operated until his retirement. In what spare time he may have had, Ward enjoyed his short wave radio. He was a Dairy Farmer who worked 7 days a week, 365 days a year. With his family and farm, Ward's life was full. He is survived by his loving wife, Joyce of Pullman; two sons: Wayne & Karen Stratton of Desmet, ID; Jim & Mary Stratton of Longview, WA; his daughter, Sharon & Tom Russell of Deerfield, IL; special family friend Todd Hale and family; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

The memorial service will be held at 1PM on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013 at Kimball Funeral Home. A reception will follow the service at the Independent Living Social Hall at Bishop Place, 811 SE Klemgard St., in Pullman, WA. The family suggests memorial donations to Meals on Wheels. Interment will be held at the Pullman Cemetery at a later time.