Chester (Chet) Earnest Guyll, 86 years old, passed away peacefully in his sleep early Friday morning August 26, 2016 In Tonasket, Washington. He was born on June 25,1930 near Odell Arkansas, the oldest of three children born to J.E. (Earnest) Guyll, and Edna (Edens) Guyll.
He attended school in a one room school house and loved learning but had to quit school at the end of eighth grade to work on the farm. He continued to learn everything he could on his own and got his GED shortly after entering the Army in 1949. He received his training at West Point and spent seven months as an infantryman in Korea during the war as a sharp-shooter and supply driver. He was honorably discharged in 1952.
He moved to Oroville with some of his cousins from the Rounds family and met Margieree York in September 1954 at the Pentecostal Church in Oroville. Their first date was a chaperoned hike on Mount Hull. They married on July 8, 1955 at the Free Methodist Church and honeymooned at Bonaparte Lake. They lived in a variety of places in Okanogan County working in the Oroville mill, orchards, and wherever they could find in order to support themselves and their growing family. Finally in 1956 due to a shortage of jobs Chet re-enlisted in the Army and spent three years over-seas working as a radio operator gathering intelligence. He carried the love of long range radio with him and became a HAM radio operator earning the title of Silent Key.
He led a varied life with rumors of moon-shine running when he was in his teens, to becoming an active member of his church, even becoming a licensed minister. He loved to play his guitar and sing and if you never heard his singing, you’ve missed out. He couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket (his words not mine), he once said that “I know my singing isn’t pretty but the Bible said to make a joyful noise to the Lord, and since I love to sing that’s exactly what I’m doing”. He enjoyed the outdoors, whether camping, fishing, hunting, or swimming. He brought some of that love indoors through his paintings of scenery. He was also a member of the American Legion.
He’s preceded in death by his parents, his sister Viola Burch and his daughter Deanna Lynn Guyll.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Margieree Guyll; four kids Brad (Willy) Guyll, Anchorage, Alaska, Mike (Lisa) Guyll, Northport, Wash., Derek Guyll, Philippines and Rebecca (David) Walters, Lakewood, Colo.; one brother, Lawrence (Lorena) Guyll; 10 grandchildren and many great grand kids.
His son Brad passed away on Wednesday August 31, 2016 in Anchorage.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Valley Christian Fellowship. There will be a memorial luncheon immediately afterward. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the family to help with funeral expenses or to the American Legion to assist veterans. Arrangements made by the Bergh Funeral Service in Oroville, Washington.
