The greatest guy in the whole wide world, Walter Dudley Ross, Jr., passed away June 8, 2012, surrounded by the love of his family.

Dudley was born Sept. 23, 1925, in Bellingham, Wash., to Walter and Mae Ross. The middle of three children, he was raised in Concrete and was a graduate of Concrete High School.

In 1943 Dudley joined the United States Marine Corps and served his country with honor until 1946. He bravely fought in the original battle of Iwo Jima until Japan surrendered. Corporal Walter Dudley Ross was always proud to be a Marine. Semper Fi!

Dudley lived a rich life filled with love and many accomplishments. In February 1952 he graduated from Washington State University and also married the love of his life, Judith Lyter, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Together with his wife, Dudley spent many happy years hunting, fishing, and raising their five children. He worked at the State Bank of Concrete until his retirement, always willing to give someone a chance, and a man of his word. Dudley spent his retirement years between Concrete and Kona, Hawaii.  He was a lifetime member of the Nile Temple of the Order of the Shrine in Seattle, the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in Bellingham, the Burlington-United Lodge No. 93 of the Free and Accepted Masons in Sedro-Woolley, and the Elks Lodge.

Dudley will be forever remembered by his brother, Donald Ross (Carol Ann Ross), of Lyman; his bride of 60 years, Judith Ross; his beloved children, Terry Freed (Walt Freed), Sherry Buller (Rob Buller), Mary Farnham, Ava Aldridge (Randy Aldridge), and Zeke Ross (Tammy Ross); his treasured grandchildren, Eric Freed, Will Farnham, Megan Kinney, Kristy Thompson, Mandy Meyers, Katie Pierce Elliott, Rob Buller, Kerry Faber, Dan Farnham, Clinton Ross, Lee Post, Robin Aldridge, and Natalie Ross; 24 great-grandchildren; and countless other friends and family who were blessed to know him. He was preceded in death by his sister, Jean Kempkes, and his parents, Walter and Mae Ross.

Dudley touched the lives of many people with his generosity and infectious smile and he maintained his wonderful sense of humor until the very end.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate his life on Sat., June 16 at 1 p.m., at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Concrete. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Muscular Dystrophy FSH Society at FSH Society, Inc., BBRI R353, 64 Grove Street, Watertown, MA 02472; 617.658.7878; www.fshsociety.org.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Share memories of Dudley and sign the online guest register at www.lemleychapel.com.