Kenneth Charles Wirkkala

Kenneth Charles Wirkkala, lovingly known as "Buckshot", 84 years old passed on January 28th at Beacon Hill Rehabilitation in Longview. He was born on December 4, 1941 to Charles and Ellen (Johnson) Wirkkala in Astoria, Ore. He grew up in Deep River, and graduated from Naselle High School in 1960. He married Nora Lee Sorenson in 1962 and they had 2 sons before later divorcing. While in high school he trapped crawfish in Deep River and sold them to Jakes Crawfish House in Portland. Kenny was a true fixture in the logging community. After graduating, his dad Charles, set him up with a log boom business, also in Deep River, dumping private wood. He was quite successful! He then logged for Weyerhaeuser and Clyde Sprague before starting Ken Wirkkala Logging in 1965. In the late 1980's his sons came into the business, which then became Wirkkala and Sons Logging. Kenny was one of the original investors in the Bank of the Pacific and was a longtime board member there. In the woods and around town everyone seemed to know Buckshot and he knew them too. Kenny enjoyed his home in Grays River, clam digging and fishing, especially fishing the trout he planted in the pond he built "Hangover Lake". After retirement he enjoyed the outdoors, trips to Hawaii and Costco outings! He is survived by his sons, Kevin and his wife Sandy and Loren and his wife Debbie, a sister, Jeane Moksness, 4 grandchildren Whitley (Kevin) Riggs, Jordyn (Nathan) Rogers, Morgan (Sean) Atkins, Jake (RaeAnn) Wirkkala, 6 great grandchildren Blakely and Paisley Atkins, Kade and Rook Riggs and June and Mae Rogers and several nieces and nephews. Kenny was preceded by his sister Marlene Wiitala. A Celebration of Kenny's Life will be Saturday, March 28 from 2-5 p.m. at 13 Riverview West Cathlamet. Memorial contributions may be made to Grays River Fire Department, PO Box 10 Grays River, WA 98621.