Kenneth LaVerne Brill, 90, Elma resident and former owner of Brill’s Auto Wreckers in the Wishkah Valley, died Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, at Summit Pacific Medical Center in Elma, Wash.

Ken was born on Feb. 21, 1927, in Valentine, Neb. to Charles Orville and Viola (Gunier) Brill. His family moved to Emmitt, Idaho when he was young and lived there until age 16 when he joined the U.S. Navy in Feb. 21, 1946. He served aboard the U.S.S. Langley in the Bremerton Group of the Pacific Fleet and was honorably discharged on Nov. 3, 1949. He then came to Aberdeen and later moved to Wishkah Valley in late 1950’s. In 1991, he moved to Elma.

He owned and operated Brill’s Auto Wrecker for many years in Wishkah Valley and then in early 70’s drove log truck for FG Peterson Logging for 15 years. Ken was a member of the Montesano Eagles, Montesano VFW and the Montesano Moose Lodge. He loved working and fixing things. He also liked to Hunt and go fishing.

Ken is survived by a son, Stephen Brill of Grayland, Wash. and daughters: Lavern Gores and Teresa Raes; three step-sons: Jerry Fanning of Montesano, Bill Murrey of California and Kenneth Longgozel of Liberty, Wash.; a step-daughter, Carlene Pickage of Matlock; 87 grand, great-grand and great-great-grandchildren of both families; a sister, Margie Sprinkle of Boise, Idaho; a grandson, Timothy Brill and his living friend and companion for the last 25 years, Lillian Woolsey of Elma, Wash. Ken was preceded in death by two sons: Kenneth Fowler Sr. in 2016 and Arnold Brill in 2009, a daughter Arleta R. King in 2014 and a grandson, Kenny Fowler Jr. in 2015.

There will be a gathering of friends and family at the Brady Grange on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, at 1 p.m. Military honors by Montesano VFW.

Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Wash.