Otis Devoe Villines

Otis Devoe "O.D." Villines passed peacefully April 20, 2023, surrounded by family at his home in Elma Washington. He was 78 years old.

O.D. was born on May 2, 1944 in Compton Arkansas, the fifth of seven children of H.O. and Delphia Villines. O.D. moved to Washington with his family and settled in the Yakima Valley for several years before moving to Shelton Washington. O.D.'s early years moving from various fruit and vegetable farms helped to shape his education and career in public service.

O.D. graduated from Shelton High School in 1962, followed by an Associates of Arts at Centralia Community College and a bachelor of arts in sociology from Central Washington State in 1966. This was the same year he was married.

O.D. served in the U.S. Army in Wurzburg, Germany as a Personnel Specialist. During his tour he and his wife traveled extensively in Europe. Upon his return to the U.S., O.D. spent a decade working in city, county and regional government, including five years as Director of Urban Services and Permits for the city of Longview. He then worked several decades in construction management, responsible for the construction of countless commercial and industrial projects and residential homes. He had his own construction business with his brother, Tom, Discovery Homes, and retired from Lumberman's Custom Homes in 2009.

During his lifetime, O.D. volunteered and acted as chairman of the American Heart Association, was appointed by the Governor to the Cowlitz County Boundary Review Board, and served as chairman for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and various committees for the Elks and Lion's Clubs and Longview Pioneer Lions Club. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, was always willing to help anyone in need, getting together with friends for lunch regularly, traveling and going out with his long time partner Cindy taking road trips throughout the United States, visiting family and traveling abroad. He also loved gardening and photography.

O.D. was a loving brother and father who is survived by two of his sisters, Gerry Shafer of Olympia Washington and Rita Hawthorne of Holden Missouri. He is survived by his daughters Anna Villines of Portland Oregon and April Manke of Shelton Washington, three grandchildren and 21 nieces and nephews and his partner of 13 years, Cindy Yarbrough.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at the McCleary Community Center at 726 W. Simpson Avenue from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.