Wilton Leritte Jr.

Wilton Joseph Leritte, Jr., 70, of St. John, Wash., passed away on Oct. 27, 2018, at Whitman Hospital & Medical Center in Colfax, Wash. The viewing will be held at Bruning Funeral Home from noon to 5 pm on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018. The memorial service with Military Honors will be held at 11 am on Saturday, Nov. 3, at Christian Life Assembly Church in St. John, Wash.

Wilton was born Feb. 29, 1948, in Lafayette, Louisiana to Wilton & Helen (Dugas) Leritte, Sr. He grew up in Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana, graduating from Bossier High School in 1967. Wilton attended college in Lafayette for several years before entering the US Army. Wilton served in the army for a total of 13 years and upon his honorable discharge in 1984 was a Staff Sergeant.

He married Beverly Ensign in St. John, Wash., in 1978. The family lived in Ft. Ord and at Ft. Carson while Wilton was in the Army. Following this time the family lived in Shreveport-Bossier City, La., where he completed his Bachelor of Science Degree at LSUS. Wilton went to work for the state of Louisiana for 10 years in different capacities.

In 1999, the family returned to St. John, Wash., where they have made their home since. He loved his family and especially enjoyed spoiling his grandchildren. Wilton was an avid remote control airplane operator and was very accomplished at it.

He is survived by his wife of almost 40 years, Beverly at the family home in St. John; two daughters, Gail Johnson of St. John and Sara Leritte of Little Rock, Ark .; four grandchildren, Dylan, Aurianna, Zoey and Joni; one brother, Louis Leritte; three sisters, Jennifer Kaniecki, Donna Hayes and Leontine Rogers. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Ruth in 2013; his parents; and one brother, George Leritte.

Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax, WA is caring for the family. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations made to the St. John Fire Department.

Online condolences may be sent to http://www.bruningfuneralhome.com