Elma resident Othar Steven Fortner Jr. died April 3, 2021. He was born on Sept. 30, 1943, to Othar Sr. and Katherine Fortner in Galax, Virginia. Though his family moved around a lot, Othar Jr. eventually settled in Elma, Washington.

In 1981, he married Billie Jo, his wife of 40 years. He was a part of the creation of the Satsop Nuclear Power Plant in 1977 and was an asbestos removal professional.

Othar loved to cook and attended culinary school in Arizona when he was younger to hone his skills. He joined the Eagles in 2016 and was a proud member of the Laborers Union Local 252. He enjoyed spending time in his garden, being outdoors, fishing, golfing and bowling and was a huge Seahawks fan. He was fond of just about anything with four legs: cats, dogs and animals generally. Most of all, Othar loved spending time with his family and friends. He was a very giving man who always had time to help others and could make friends anywhere he went.

Othar is survived by his wife, Billie Jo Fortner; two sons: Mike Fortner of Elma and Brian Fortner of Montesano; three daughters: Nancy Youngs of Spokane, Colleen Carpenter of Hoquiam and Cassandra Chesterman of Aberdeen; 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

The family asks that any donations be made to the American Diabetes Association.

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