Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
BirthFeb 12, 1912, Carrington, Foster County, North Dakota [38127]
DeathNov 14, 2013, Renton, King County, Washington [38125]
BurialEvergreen-Washelli Memorial Park (Lake Cemetery, Washelli Cemetery), 11111 Aurora Ave. N, Seattle, King County, Washington [38125]
FatherRobert Pinkley HIGHTOWER (1872-1931)
MotherAllie Lora BLAKELY (1872-1956)
Spouses
BurialEvergreen-Washelli Memorial Park (Lake Cemetery, Washelli Cemetery), 11111 Aurora Ave. N, Seattle, King County, Washington [38129]
Obituary Online notes for Leslie Lincoln HIGHTOWER
DOM: 11 Jul 1937 in Scobey, Daniel, Montana to Florence Irene Edwards
OBITUARY - LESLIE LINCOLN HIGHTOWER
Leslie Lincoln Hightower passed away on November 14, 2013 at his home at Chateau at Valley Center in Renton, WA.
He was born on February 12, 1912 in Carrington North Dakota and was the youngest of four children.
After grade school, his family moved to Fond du Lac, WI where he attended high school and played football. After his graduation in 1929 from high school, his family moved back to Carrington where he worked on farms in the area. Work was hard to find so he moved to Montana where he worked on various jobs including WPA in northeastern Montana.
In the spring of 1937 he met a beautiful red haired girl named Florence Edwards and they were married in July. They had a son Robert Louis and a daughter Dixie Lee.
In early 1941, the opportunity came up to go to Great Falls, MT and attend aircraft mechanics school. While he was in school, they were told that Boeing was hiring in Seattle, so he and four other men took a bus to Seattle and arrived with only $5.00 between them. They were immediately hired at Boeing, but had to have tools. They walked to the Sears store and were offered scrip to buy tools until they received a paycheck. They walked back to Queen Anne Hill and found a boarding house that took them in until their first paycheck.
Florence and the children moved to Seattle in the fall of 1941 and Florence also got a job at Boeing. Les worked at Boeing until he retired at 65, then worked at Kidder Peabody for another 12 years.
He enjoyed woodworking and gardening. He and Florence loved to dance and were members of different dance clubs including the German Club. They also enjoyed driving trips traveling through most of the country. They took several cruises with friends and family members.
They lived in their home on Magnolia until 2005, when they moved to a retirement community on Queen Anne Hill. In 2011, they moved to Chateau at Valley Center in Renton where Florence still resides.
They are long term members of the Queen Anne Baptist Church and were very involved in activities. Les always volunteered for work parties at the church.
He celebrated his 101st birthday on February 12, 2013 with a party at Chateau at Valley Center.
All those who knew Les will miss his sense of humor, his kindness, his infectious smile and his helping hand.
Les is survived by his loving wife Florence of 76 years, his children Robert (Rusty) and Dixie (Cliff), his grandchildren, Dan (Jennifer), Cheryl (Keith) Brian (Laurie) Jill, Glen (Donna) and Ann, 12 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren.
The family is very appreciative of the loving care given by Group Health Hospice and Chateau at Valley Center.
A viewing will be held Friday November 22, 2013 from 10:00am until 7:00pm at Evergreen-Washelli Funeral Home, 11111 Aurora Ave N. Seattle, WA 98133.
A service honoring his life will be held Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 3:00 pm at Queen Anne Baptist Church, 2011 1st Ave N, Seattle 98109.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Queen Anne Baptist Church.
Published in the Seattle Times on 17 Nov 201 [38125]
OBITUARY - LESLIE LINCOLN HIGHTOWER
Leslie Lincoln Hightower passed away on November 14, 2013 at his home at Chateau at Valley Center in Renton, WA.
He was born on February 12, 1912 in Carrington North Dakota and was the youngest of four children.
After grade school, his family moved to Fond du Lac, WI where he attended high school and played football. After his graduation in 1929 from high school, his family moved back to Carrington where he worked on farms in the area. Work was hard to find so he moved to Montana where he worked on various jobs including WPA in northeastern Montana.
In the spring of 1937 he met a beautiful red haired girl named Florence Edwards and they were married in July. They had a son Robert Louis and a daughter Dixie Lee.
In early 1941, the opportunity came up to go to Great Falls, MT and attend aircraft mechanics school. While he was in school, they were told that Boeing was hiring in Seattle, so he and four other men took a bus to Seattle and arrived with only $5.00 between them. They were immediately hired at Boeing, but had to have tools. They walked to the Sears store and were offered scrip to buy tools until they received a paycheck. They walked back to Queen Anne Hill and found a boarding house that took them in until their first paycheck.
Florence and the children moved to Seattle in the fall of 1941 and Florence also got a job at Boeing. Les worked at Boeing until he retired at 65, then worked at Kidder Peabody for another 12 years.
He enjoyed woodworking and gardening. He and Florence loved to dance and were members of different dance clubs including the German Club. They also enjoyed driving trips traveling through most of the country. They took several cruises with friends and family members.
They lived in their home on Magnolia until 2005, when they moved to a retirement community on Queen Anne Hill. In 2011, they moved to Chateau at Valley Center in Renton where Florence still resides.
They are long term members of the Queen Anne Baptist Church and were very involved in activities. Les always volunteered for work parties at the church.
He celebrated his 101st birthday on February 12, 2013 with a party at Chateau at Valley Center.
All those who knew Les will miss his sense of humor, his kindness, his infectious smile and his helping hand.
Les is survived by his loving wife Florence of 76 years, his children Robert (Rusty) and Dixie (Cliff), his grandchildren, Dan (Jennifer), Cheryl (Keith) Brian (Laurie) Jill, Glen (Donna) and Ann, 12 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren.
The family is very appreciative of the loving care given by Group Health Hospice and Chateau at Valley Center.
A viewing will be held Friday November 22, 2013 from 10:00am until 7:00pm at Evergreen-Washelli Funeral Home, 11111 Aurora Ave N. Seattle, WA 98133.
A service honoring his life will be held Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 3:00 pm at Queen Anne Baptist Church, 2011 1st Ave N, Seattle 98109.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Queen Anne Baptist Church.
Published in the Seattle Times on 17 Nov 201 [38125]
Obituary Online notes for Florence Irene (Spouse 1)
DOM: 1 Jul 1937 in Scobey, Daniels, Montana to Leslie Lincol Hightower
OBITUARY - FLORENCE IRENE HIGHTOWER
February 22, 1920 - January 5, 2018
Florence Irene Hightower passed away peacefully on January 5, 2018 in Federal Way, WA.
Florence was born on February 22, 1920 in Whitetail, Montana to Charles and Irma Edwards.
She married Les Hightower in 1937 and were together for 76 years. They had 2 children Robert Hightower (Margaret) and Dixie Fouty (Clifford).
In 1942, they moved to Seattle and both worked for Boeing Airplane company during the war. After leaving Boeing she went to work for I. Magnin & Company and retired 42 years later. She was a great seamstress, painter, cook, decorator, loved dancing and music.
She is survived by 2 sisters, Ferol Hoxie and Francis Garrick, 1 brother Frank Edwards and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces & nephews.
A Memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 14, 2018 at 10:00am at Evergreen-Washelli Funeral Home, 11111 Aurora Ave North, Seattle, WA 98133.
Published in the Seattle Times on 9 Jan 2018 [38129]
OBITUARY - FLORENCE IRENE HIGHTOWER
February 22, 1920 - January 5, 2018
Florence Irene Hightower passed away peacefully on January 5, 2018 in Federal Way, WA.
Florence was born on February 22, 1920 in Whitetail, Montana to Charles and Irma Edwards.
She married Les Hightower in 1937 and were together for 76 years. They had 2 children Robert Hightower (Margaret) and Dixie Fouty (Clifford).
In 1942, they moved to Seattle and both worked for Boeing Airplane company during the war. After leaving Boeing she went to work for I. Magnin & Company and retired 42 years later. She was a great seamstress, painter, cook, decorator, loved dancing and music.
She is survived by 2 sisters, Ferol Hoxie and Francis Garrick, 1 brother Frank Edwards and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces & nephews.
A Memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 14, 2018 at 10:00am at Evergreen-Washelli Funeral Home, 11111 Aurora Ave North, Seattle, WA 98133.
Published in the Seattle Times on 9 Jan 2018 [38129]