Calvin Woodrow Stafford, 91, longtime Benton City resident, passed away on December 20, 2023.
He was born in Atlas, Oklahoma on May 18, 1932 to Mayford and Flora (Hertig) Stafford. Calvin first met his future wife, Frances, when she was only twelve years old. Calvin joined the US Marine Corps in 1952 and was in Korea for a year. When he came home in July 1953, he asked Frances to marry him. On July 27, 1953, they were married in Prosser and two days later they were on their way to Bremerton. They lived in Hadlock and Port Townsend until Calvin’s separation from the military in 1955. Back to Benton City they came, where they operated a gas station. Shortly after that Calvin began a thirty-five-year career in the construction business with Snitily Brothers of Wenatchee, which took them all over Washington, Oregon and Montana. If you have been on a road or bridge in Washington, he probably helped build it. In 1970, the couple moved back to Benton City and lived on the family property along the river. They eventually restored the old farmhouse for their home.
For the past year and a half, Calvin lived with his niece and her husband, Mary and Dennis Parker in Kennewick. His life was greatly enriched during their time together. Church on Sunday, going to Dairy Queen, lots of family time, frequent outings, as well as plenty of Gun Smoke and John Wayne movies.
Calvin enjoyed carpentry and was an amazing handyman. He practiced those skills throughout his entire life and was always there for his family and often helped his friends as well. He also enjoyed working around his farm, gardening and raising milk goats. He was baptized and a member of the Harvest Heights Church in Kennewick. He was also a member of the Local Operating Engineers.
He is survived by his children, Darlene Mahon and her husband Ricky of Kennewick, David Stafford and his wife, Val of Benton City and Denise Travis of Benton City; his grandchildren, Seth Richards, Camden Richards, Tristan Stafford, Grayson Ingersoll, Oliver Ingersoll, Preston Ingersoll, Callie Ingersoll, Hayden Ingersoll Chloe Ingersoll, Davey Ingersoll and Chris Ingersoll; and twenty great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Leon Stafford of Prosser and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances on November 7, 2013; his daughter, Goldie Stafford; two sisters, Luella Lumberg and Clara Blanche Stafford; and two grandchildren, Ericka Stafford and Perseus Richards.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 30th at Prosser Funeral Home. Concluding services with Full Military Honors will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery in Benton City. You may leave a message for the family at www.Prosserfuneralhome.com