Howard “Smokey” Wade Bennison died on Feb. 15.

He was born on Sept. 19, 1914, in Barry, Wash., to Albert W. Bennison and Anna Gertrude Cress. He spent his early years in Spokane, Wash.

Bennison came to Oregon in 1933 and went to work for Edward Hines Lumber Company in 1934. He held a number of different positions throughout his 45 years of working there. He retired from the company in 1979.

Bennison married Virgie Nance on Aug. 26, 1939, in Burns. They were married for 69 years.

He was a member of the Burns Elks Lodge #1680 for 49 years.

Bennison enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, camping, carpentry, bowling, sports and his family.

Bennison is survived by his son, Gary Bennison and wife Valerie; daughter, Nancy Ray and husband Garry; grandchildren, Ted Bennison and wife Beth, and Tonya Fox and husband Ron; great-grandchildren, Catherine and Jonathan Bennison; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Gertrude Bennison; wife, Virgie; brothers, Donald Bennison and Robert Bennison; and sisters, Ellen Barr and Dorothy Olmstead.

Graveside services were held on Feb. 23 in the Burns Cemetery.

Contributions in Bennison’s memory may be made to the Harney County Senior and Community Services Center, or Harney County Home Health, in care of LaFollette’s Chapel, P.O. Box 488, Burns, OR 97720. LaFollette’s Chapel was in charge of funeral arrangements.