William F. “Frank” Ledbetter passed away at home in Hermiston on the evening of Dec. 13, 2022 at the age of 94.
Frank was born on Oct. 18, 1928 near Birch Tree, Mo. He was the sixth of eight children.
He spent most of his early years in Missouri. In his teens, he moved with his family to southern Idaho. There Frank met Dolores Fay Bohannon, and they married on June 30, 1948 in Wilder, Idaho.
In 1952 the couple and their two young sons, Ronald and Richard, traveled to Sweet Home, where Frank hired on with the Santiam Lumber Company. He worked there for 13 years, and during that time he and Dolores built a home and added son Timothy to the family. Next, he took a job at Boise Cascade – and several years later at Northwest Pipeline – in La Grande, where fourth son Todd was born.
While living in La Grande, he and Dolores purchased 40 acres of sand and sagebrush northeast of Hermiston. Frank transferred to the Northwest Pipeline (now Williams Companies) Plymouth, Wash. plant in 1973 and the family – minus Ron and Rick, who had married – established a home on their Hermiston property. He cleared much of the sagebrush and greasewood with an axe, and leveled the land with bedsprings or other such implements pulled by a tractor. The day-to-day happenings on the Hermiston property were the source of many humorous stories and memories. Frank retired from the Williams Companies in 1989.
Frank was known as an earnest, amiable, hardworking, helpful and honest man, and was a trustworthy friend to many. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior in 1958 and attended a number of churches over his lifetime, most recently the Hermiston Nazarene Church. He loved music and, in earlier years, had served as a song leader in several churches. He played the guitar and sang with Dolores, periodically providing special music during church services.
He enjoyed hunting with his hounds, building a small herd of cattle, and watching baseball games. He coached in Hermiston Babe Ruth while Todd was growing up.
Although Frank did not complete high school himself, he was part of the generation that fully realized the American dream, working hard for a better life for his family. Two of his sons graduated from high school and two from universities.
He is survived by his wife, Dolores, at the home; sons, Ron (Kate) of La Grande; Rick (Charlene) of Libby, Mt.; Tim of Hermiston, and Todd (D’Ann) of Philomath. He also is survived by six grandchildren, Roni Pettey, Chad Ledbetter, Grant Ledbetter, Briahna Ledbetter, Kayla Kirkbride and Kyle Evans; and numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and Bohannon family members.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Jennie Ledbetter; three brothers, Buddy, Edward and Delmer; and by four sisters, Edna, Irene, Lucille and Florence.
Frank was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, brother-in-law, and uncle. He will be missed by his family and friends.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, Dec. 19 at 11 a.m. at the Hermiston Nazarene Church, 1520 W. Orchard Ave.
Those who wish may make contributions in Frank’s memory to a Christian charity or an Alzheimer’s/dementia research or support organization of their choice.
Please share memories of Frank with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
