Union-Bulletin

Sidney D. McNeill

January 13, 1923 - April 20, 2012

Sidney D. McNeill, 89, passed away quietly, Friday, April 20, 2012, at

Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla. "Sid" was born January 13,

1923, in Pendleton, Oregon to Louis and Arvilla McNeill.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 1:30 p.m., Friday,

May 4, 2012, at Blue Mountain Memorial Gardens, 300 SE Myra Road, in College

Place, Washington.

Times were hard in the thirties, and because Sid's mother passed

away quite young, he and his three sisters were separated and sent to

live with various relatives. Hard work was an early reality for Sid. As a

youngster, he worked to earn his keep at various neighboring ranches

in Idaho and family farms in Oregon. Through it all, he never forgot

the importance of family and friends.

After graduation from high school in La Grande in May of 1941,

Sid immediately joined the US Marines and served four and a half

years. After a short stint on the USS Arizona, he was transferred to

the USS Chester in the Pacific. He was 70 miles out to sea from Pearl

Harbor on December 7, 1941. He saw action in the Marshall Islands,

Coral Sea, the Solomon Islands, Marianna Islands, and on Saipan and

Tinian, where he was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart. He was

honorably discharged in October, 1945 as a Sergeant. After the service,

Sid went to work for the Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. in La Grande, OR.

He later transferred to Walla Walla, where after only 3 years, he was

promoted to manager of the Walla Walla plant. He stayed there until

his retirement after 27 years with Pepsi.

Sid shared a full life with his children, grandchildren, and

relatives. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed gardening,

camping, being a rock hound, and playing pinochle. In his later

years, he enjoyed keeping in touch with his relatives and friends.

He was blessed to be remembered by so many. His mailbox at Quail

Run Retirement Community always held a treasure trove of special

thoughts and updates of recent happenings within his family. Sid

will be remembered by many, and forgotten by few as a father, uncle,

cousin, grandfather, great-grandfather, hunting partner fishing

friend. He remained always a Marine, and was proud to have served

his Country. Semper Fi.

He is survived by two daughters: Susan Wood of Grants Pass, OR,

and Kris (Jimmie) Brown of Walla Walla; a son, John (Rita) McNeill

of Dixie; many cousins, nephews and nieces, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren,

coworkers, and many friends. He was preceded in

death by his ex-wife and still friend, Doris McNeill, and his three very

special sisters: Geraldine Haydock of La Grande, OR, Leah Van Pelt of

Forest Grove, OR, and Jean Calvert of Siloam Springs, AR.

Memorial contributions may be made to Toys for Tots through

Mountain View-Colonial Dewitt, 1551 Dalles Military Road, Walla

Walla, WA 99362.

Friends may write memories and sign the online guestbook

at www.mountainview-colonialdewitt.com.