Stanley Roy Pierson, 86, died peacefully in his home with his family by his side after a long battle with cancer.

Stanley was born Sept. 14, 1928 in New Rockford N.D. to Anna Katherine and Roy Sanford Pierson. The family lived there for 13 years until they moved to White Salmon, Wash., and resided there through his high school years. After high school he attended Yakima Valley Jr. College for 2 years. The family moved to Waitsburg around 1946 to purchase what was later named Ardie’s Cleaners.

In 1948, while frequenting the drug store soda fountain, he met Rita Dixon. They were married May 14,...