Lloyd Horton Wilbanks

February 12, 1918 ~ June 25, 2011

Lloyd Horton Wilbanks passed away June 25, 2011, at the age of 93. He was born February 12, 1918, in Wenatchee, WA to Hoyt and Emily Wilbanks. His Wenatchee pioneer roots go back to his grandparents, the Hortons. (Lowell Horton helped establish irrigation in the Wenatchee Valley). Lloyd had one brother, Hoyt, Jr. and one sister, Sally. Lloyd graduated from Wenatchee High School in 1936, with his future wife, Wilma Merriman. Lloyd and Wilma especially enjoyed spending time at his parent's cabin at Lake Wenatchee. They were married in 1939. Lloyd and Wilma had two sons, Lloyd, Jr. and Forrest. After high school, Lloyd attended college in Washington and California. He then worked for the highway department in Wenatchee as a Surveyor, Inspector and Chainman, engaging in highway and bridge construction. He also worked for the Austin Company as a Field Engineer. His construction career expanded to design and survey layouts for railroad sidings, seaplane ramps, dredging and the Pier 91 project in Seattle. Lloyd also surveyed the route for what is now Highway 97 over Blewett Pass (Swauk Pass). During World War II, Lloyd was a Navy Seabee, stationed at Dutch Harbor, AK and Saipan. He designed and built airfields, marine installations, gun placements, roads, water and sewer systems and military housing. In Saipan, Lloyd also engaged in combat. Lloyd received a special citation for meritorious conduct for transporting medical equipment in severe winter weather to save a man's life in Dutch Harbor. After the War, Lloyd continued to work on construction projects, including building canals for the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project. In 1953, he returned to the highway department and became a Maintenance Superintendent for Grant and Chelan Counties. He was also instrumental in avalanche control for Stevens Pass. In 1966, Lloyd became co-owner of Cascade Powerline Construction Company in East Wenatchee. The highlight of Lloyd's career was working for CMI Corporation as a Field Engineer. He trained crews, owners and engineers to build highways throughout the U.S. and Africa. Flying was Lloyd's passion. He went from building a dirt runway in Soap Lake, WA in the late 50's, to flying his plane for business all over the U.S. He logged over 1200 hours in various planes. Never one to retire, Lloyd worked into his late 80's as a long-haul truck driver; mostly as an owner-operator. Lloyd was tough, colorful, charming, witty and (diplomatic??). He led his life as a continuous adventure.

Lloyd is survived by his two sons, Lloyd, Jr. (Jerilyn) and Forrest (Nancy); five grandchildren, Scott (Julie) Wilbanks, Russ Wilbanks, Jeff (Lori) Wilbanks, Chad Wilbanks and Danielle Putt; his sister, Sally Streight; two nieces, Susan (Bob) Garrison and Valerie (Mike) Unverzagt; and five great-grandchildren. Also, good friends, Bud and Ester Brender.

Lloyd's family would like to give special thanks to his friends and caregivers at Lake Ridge Care Center in Moses Lake and Dry Creek Assisted Living in Ellensburg, WA. The special care and love he received is very much appreciated.

A Memorial Service will be held in honor of Lloyd's life on Monday, July 18, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. at the Washington State Veterans' Cemetery, Medical Lake, WA.