Sept. 26, 1940 – May 15, 2016
Elic “Sonny” Stafford Jr., 75, died peacefully at his home in Sweet Home May 15, 2016 after a battle with cancer.
He was born Sept. 26, 1940 in Versailles, Mo., to Elic Stafford Sr. and Ann Burge Stafford. The family moved to Sweet Home when he was very young.
Mr. Stafford graduated from Sweet Home High School in 1958 and joined the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft mechanic, stationed at Lackland AFB in Texas and Stead AFB in Reno, Nev. He married Patricia Hermesky in 1962 in Reno and they moved back to Sweet Home to raise their family.
Mr. Stafford worked for the U.S. Forest Service as a fire watch crew member and later retired from the Willamette Industries Santiam Plywood Division in 1986.
He enjoyed woodworking, carving and fishing, and was a very avid reader. He also enjoyed family and spending time with his grandchildren, telling stories.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy, whom he married in 2016 after 15 years together; son Elic “Butch” Stafford III and daughter-in-law Laura, and daughter Paula and son-in-law Dino Hayes, all of Sparks, Nev., stepdaughter Paige and stepson-in-law Michael Peterson of Sweet Home; stepson Ron Banta II and stepdaughter-in-law Nancy of Zuni, Va.; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild, with another on the way; brothers Larry, Glenn and Lonny Stafford; brother-in-law Dale Montgomery; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Stafford; daughter Evelyn Wolters; sister Pam Palmer; and parents Elic Stafford Sr. and Ann Stafford.
At his request, no services will be held.