POPPY, POPPY Poppy, Poppy, please come quick! I want you to meet my friend, we can show you Heaven: a bright, vibrant, physical new earth; free from sin, suffering, and death, and brimming with wondrous sights, sounds, and adventures, just like you and Nanny taught me from the bible.

William Gene Allison Sr. was born Sept. 9, 1938, and was carried away on the wings of angels on Sept. 4, 2018. He was in Hospice, under the care of his loving wife Mary for 13 months.

All his nurses thought he was cute, adorable, and were amazed at his strength and persistence. His grandson Sterling Roberts, a Richland Bomber football player, quoted in his yearbook, “I love my team because we work together. My grandpa inspires me because he is strong.” Gene was strong in not only body but also in faith. Once Gene was close to death and dreamed of meeting God. God told him “Gene, go back and find a Bible based church and tell them that the just will enter in and the unjust won’t enter into Heaven.” He always taught his family to NEVER GIVE UP.

Gene was born in Toolsboro, Iowa, close to the Toolsboro Indian Mounds, in a Mississippi houseboat that drifted in from flooding. He moved to Montesano, Wash., in 1962.

He married his wife, Mary on June 30, 1963; they enjoyed 55 years of marriage.

Gene loved having all his children and their friends at home, which was the center of the neighborhood. He had many nieces and nephews who he loved dearly and HE WAS EVERYONE’S FAVORITE UNCLE. Gene drove log truck for Weyerhaeuser and was a maintenance/ painter for Morton Thiokol in Elma, Wash. When he moved to this area he worked for his son-in-law Don at Roberts Construction.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Saul and Lizzy Allison, infant son Samuel Saul Allison, infant brother Robert Allison, brother David Allison and beloved granddaughter in 1998 at age 3 ½, Jerika Allison Roberts.

Gene began his artistic woodworking with the fallen maple tree next to Jerika’s grave, using a lathe to turn wooden pens, which he gifted to many family members. He enjoyed many hours hand carving and making miniature log trucks and vintage cars to go with his model train dioramas. Gene also had a passion for restoring old antique cars. Another hobby Gene shared with his family was his expertise in smoking meats; many happy family gatherings were centered around Gene’s hams, turkeys and other meats. Gene taught himself to use a computer, so he could make photographic calendars of Jerika, which he gave to the family.

Gene is survived by his beloved wife, Mary and his cherished dog Bandit. He is also survived by his three children: Tamala Kay Allison, spouse Mike Garrow; William Gene Allison Jr., spouse Tammy Allison; and Monette Marie Roberts, spouse Don Roberts; 10 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; sister Ida Hindbaugh, spouse Ford of Montesano, Wash.; sister Lena Schrader of Mount Pleasant, lowa; brother Stan Allison, spouse Liz, of Wapello, lowa.

A loving thanks to grandchildren, Kayla and Steven Allison who helped Papa and Grandma stay on the Finley farm.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, at the Montesano First Presbyterian Church. A potluck reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers an account has been set up for expenses: Hapo Credit Union, 601 Williams Blvd. Richland, WA 99354 Account: 3895040.

Good Morning God! Helen Stiener Rice You are ushering in another day untouched and freshly new, so here I come to ask You God if You’ll renew me too? Forgive the many errors, that I made yesterday, and let me try again dear God, to walk closer in Thy Way. But Father, I am well aware I can’t make it on my own. So take my hand and hold it tight for I can’t walk alone. Gene & Mary Allison’s Daily Prayer from memory.