House honors local WWII vet, Pioneer volunteer

A 95-year-old decorated World War II veteran who later tutored Pioneer Schools students was recently honored by the state House of Representatives.

State Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, introduced House Resolution 4639, which honors Burton Stoltz, who lives in the Agate area. The House unanimously passed the resolution April 7.

In a news release, Couture said it was "an honor and a pleasure" to present the resolution to Stoltz on his 95th birthday.

"Burt is a WWII Navy veteran and treasured in our community in Shelton," he wrote. "I was blessed to pin his recently retrieved WWII Navy medals on him assisted by veteran members of his family who served in the Vietnam War. Happy birthday, Burt! Thank you for your service to our community and country."

According to the resolution, Stoltz was born on April 11, 1928, near Ennis, Montana. He enlisted in the Navy in 1943 and served with distinction in the Pacific during the war. He earned these medals: Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, the American Theater Campaign, Navy Good Conduct and the World War II Victory medal. He was honorably discharged in 1949.

The resolution states Stoltz returned to his family ranch for 25 years, and then moved to Washington and operated a mechanic's shop for five years. He then spent 15 years working for Lang's Manufacturing in Redmond before retiring.

Stoltz then worked in sanitation and maintenance at Pioneer Elementary School for 20 years. After retiring a second time, he spent eight years helping Pioneer students to read.