Sharon Ann Handy, Jones, Heath, 77, passed away on October 1, 2016 at Trios Hospital in Kennewick, WA. She was born in Park Rapids, Minnesota on October 15, 1938 to Charles Garrison and Florine Mae Stilwell. The youngest of five children; Verle, Robert, Lyle and Jack, she moved with her family to the Olympic Peninsula in 1942. She attended first and second grade in Sekiu and third and fourth in Clallam Bay. They eventually moved and made their home in Port Angeles, WA, where she graduated high school in 1956.
She met and married Clarence William “Bill” Handy in 1956. Bill later died from a logging accident in March of 1970 at the age of 32. Sharon, a young widow and mother of three children, Timothy Lee Handy (Deceased 1996), Clarence William “Billy” Handy Jr. (Deceased August 10, 2006), and Genia Lynn Huske, moved to the Tri-Cities area in 1971 to attend Columbia Basin College’s two year Registered Nurse’s program.
She met and married Wade Bryon Jones, the father of six children of his own, Wade Bryon Jr. (Deceased), Harley, Brent, Shauna, Brenda, and Kelly Jones. Wade and Sharon divorced in 1974. During the time Sharon lived in the Tri-Cities, she worked a year at the Tri-City Auto Action, and six years at Sanvig Oldsmobile dealership as a detailer and parts manager.
In 1978, Sharon came with her children to Prosser and settled. On August 10, 1992, she married Reed Stuart Heath and they built a life together until his passing on November 19, 2015.
She retired from the Washington State University experiment station in 1999 after 15 years due to having a stroke.
She was an avid fisherman thanks to her father. After her brothers had married and left home, she became his fishing partner. She laughingly called herself her dad’s youngest son.
She was a member of the Prosser Eagles, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Vets Auxiliary.
She is survived by her brother, Robert Stilwell of Kennewick; daughter, Genia Huske of Kennewick; grandchildren, Nicole Ellis, Allison Huske and Amanda Eddie; and great-grandchildren, Caden and TJ. She was preceded in death by her husband Reed S. Heath; sons, Timothy L. Handy and Clarence W. “Bill” Handy; stepson, Reed S. Heath; sister, Veryl Schnoover, and brothers Lyle and Jack Stilwell.
A graveside service will be held to honor Sharon at 1:00 PM on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at Prosser Cemetery. You may leave a message for the family at www.Prosserfuneralhome.com