Thomas Charles Bianchi, age 80, entered into rest on January 9, 2017 at his home in Prosser. He was born to Delph and Anna (Bordwell) Bianchi on March 3, 1936 in Prosser, Washington. He attended Prosser and Grandview schools. Tom enlisted in the US Army and served as Private First Class from 1954 to 1956 as a tank driver in Germany along the Russian border during the Korean War. Tom and Hazel Louise Mathews were married on February 1, 1958 in Grandview. The couple moved to Seattle in 1961 where Tom worked at the Ranier Brewery until returning to Prosser in 1975. He then worked as a Millwright at Hanford for twenty years, retiring in 1994.
Tom was a member of the Benton City American Legion, the National Rifle Association, a sixty year Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and served on the Lower Valley Honor Guard for many years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and team roping.
Tom is survived by his wife, Hazel of Prosser, his children, Cindy Merlino (Mark) of Elma, Monte Bianchi (Caela) of Moxee, Thomas D. Bianchi of Prosser, Roy Bianchi (Teresa) and Peggy Bianchi of Wenatchee; fifteen grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; sister, Mona (Joseph) Edwards of Silverdale; sister-in-law, Marlene Bianchi of Bremerton; and extended family, Sherry (Tom) Ballantyne of Lynnwood and David (Anita) Emery of Selah.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ted Bianchi; and brother-in-law, Joseph (Deoye) Edwards.
A Memorial Service with Full Military Honors will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 25th at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Prosser Post. Memorial contributions may be made to the Prosser VFW. You may sign the guestbook and leave a message for the family at www.prosserfuneralhome.com