On June 20, 1941, Wilbur and Naomi Ash were married in Kennewick at the First Christian Church.
The are being honored by their children for their 70th anniversary with an open house at their home from 1 to 5 p.m. June 18 at 4903 W. 24th Ave. in Kennewick. Friends and family are encouraged to come. For information, call 509-413-6233
Their married life began in Spokane where Wilbur was stationed in the Army. Wilbur was sent to Officer Candidate School where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and shipped off to war in the European Theater. Naomi lived with her parents and worked during the years of separation.
After being discharged from the Air Force, Wilbur went to work for the Veterans Administration. His next career move would be to the National Bank of Commerce (now part of Bank of America) in Seattle where he worked for 35 years, transferring to Quincy for 15 years and Grandview for 17 years. In addition to banking, they owned and operated a small farm. Wilbur retired from banking in 1985 but continued to do consulting work for several years, interspersed with extended RV travel. Eventually they became full-time RV travelers. In 2005, after six years in Mill Creek, they moved back to Kennewick.
They have four children, Wayne Ash of New Jersey; Lowell Ash of Kennewick, Gary Ash of Kennewick; and Laurel Hansen of Lynnwood.
They have 14 grandchildren.
