The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Phyllis Ann Foster Wika, 86, a resident of Pinole, California passed away Tuesday, July 12th , 2016, at John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek, California. Phyllis was born in Astoria, Oregon July 5, 1930.

Phyllis was an only child raised in the Elochoman Valley of Cathlamet, Washington. In lieu of siblings she had her ten aunts and uncles always at her side. She graduated from Wahkiakum High School at the age of 16 in 1947. She attended Western Washington University and later graduated from Lower Columbia College. Phyllis Foster married Oswald "Ozzie" Wika in 1951 and they made their home on the farm on Puget Island, Washington, where she raised her family and her two nephews. She was an elected county official and served as Superior Court Clerk of Wahkiakum County. After retirement she and Ozzie moved to Pinole, California to live with her youngest daughter Mary and son-in-law Tony. She was an avid reader and she was a life long member of Heritage Bible Church, which was founded first as a Lutheran Church. Phyllis loved to travel, recent trips to Ireland, many cruises and visiting her children, grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She loved family, her grandchildren, the flaming sevens slot machine and her "boys" the Golden State Warriors. Her special place was the Benicia Coffee and Tea Company which she co- managed for Mary, met her friends every day for lunch and trained many of her "kids" to work the shop. Her Coffee Shop kids were truly like additional grandchildren. Phyl had genuine love and concern for their well-being and futures. She kept in touch with them years after they had gone on to pursue their families and lives. All of them had a special place in her heart.

Phyllis was a devoted Wife to Ozzie, Mother, Grandmother, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Cousin and Friend. She always took time to listen, encourage and offer her opinion. She might not always be right but she was never wrong. Everyone was her friend. She was always willing to give of herself. Phyl's smile, as well as the love and devotion that she had for her family and friends and God, will never be forgotten. She will be missed by all of those who were graced to have known such a fine, caring, and loving individual.

She is survived by three sisters-in-law, Connie Wika, Dorothy Buell and Freda Wika, her children; son, Greg Wika of Cathlamet; daughter and son-in-law, Lori Wika Hinrichs and Jay Hinrichs of Lake Oswego, OR; son, Jeff Wika of Cathlamet, daughter and son-in-law, Mary Wika and Tony Weston of Pinole, CA; nephew (son) and wife, Mark and Jan Wika of Snohomish; nephew (son) and wife Ron and Amanda Wika of Marysville; Grandchildren: Britney Weston and Victor Magallanes, Alicia and Guen Benjamin, Kahli and Joshua Grantz, Marisa Veys, Justin Wika, Jesse Wika Baldwin, Paige Baldwin, Chelsye Wika Portz, Courtney Wika Gibson and Marina and Carley Wika, Great Grandchildren: Ava Wattoo, Summer Grantz, Jacob Grantz and Elle Portz. Phyllis had several adopted grandchildren and special cousins and cousins-in-law.

Phyl is preceded in death by her loving husband Ozzie in 2006, her father Albert Foster, mother Bethenia Quigley Foster, and a beautiful granddaughter Sarah Ann Wika.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 30th, followed by a gathering in the fellowship hall at the Heritage Bible Church, Puget Island, Washington. A private graveside service will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Cathlamet, Washington. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Phyllis' name may be made to the Heritage Bible Church, Puget Island Washington. This was no ordinary LIFE, This was a life well-lived and well-loved, a life that will be deeply missed.