Willis 'Dale' Jordan , 90
Willis Dale Jordan, 90, of Twin Falls, Idaho, passed away peacefully at home Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. Dale, as he was known by friends and family, was born July 10, 1932, son of Fern Jordan and Boyd Jordan, in Buhl, Idaho.
Growing up in Melon Valley, he attended Buhl schools and graduated from Buhl High School in 1950. As a teen, Dale competed in Golden Gloves boxing and bronc riding and served in the Idaho National Guard. After graduation, he cowboyed in Nevada during an extremely hard winter. In January of the next year, he escaped the bitter cold and joined the Navy, achieving the rank of petty officer first class.
Dale married Margery Veatch of Filer, Idaho, in 1955. He farmed in Castleford before working for the Idaho State Department of Lands. That job took the family to Idaho Falls and Kendrick, eventually landing in Sandpoint. Willis, as he is known to his North Idaho colleagues and friends, was fire warden of Bonner County for 23 years. After retiring, Dale and Margery moved back to Castleford and always had a large garden and bountiful orchard. He enjoyed raising donkeys and horses.
Dale was an ardent outdoorsman. He loved fishing, hunting and trapping. He was an accomplished trap shooter and won Idaho State Singles and Doubles championships. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to others.
Dale is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Margery; daughters Julie (Doug) Brown of Renton, Wash., and Jeri Jordan of Spokane, Wash.; sisters Dorothy (Jess) Rolland of Cherokee Village, Ark.; Joanne (Merrel) Smith of Elkton, Ore.; and Jessie (Clyde) Clifford of Hagerman, Idaho; brothers David (Betty) Nipper of Fort Myers, Fla., and Stephen (Anna) Nipper of Boise, Idaho; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Fern Nipper, and stepfather, Jesse Nipper; brother Donald Jordan; three stepsisters and two stepbrothers.
A memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m., Monday, Dec. 12, 2022, at Farmer Funeral Chapel, 130 9th Ave. North, Buhl. A graveside with military honors will follow at Snake River Canyon National Cemetery, Buhl.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Dale’s memorial webpage at www.farmerfuneralchapel.com.
