Ronald Halsey

Ronald Duane Halsey passed away Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, the age of 81, at his home in Lewiston, after a battle with cancer.

His maternal grandparents were proud Hungarian immigrants, Garbriel and Anna Bielko Borsos.

His paternal grandparents were Ida Jane Parsons Halsey and Fields McMillan (Colonel F.M.) Halsey. F.M. served as one of the early day Asotin County Sheriffs.

Ron was born Nov. 20, 1944, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Lewiston. He was the second child of Robert Gwyn Halsey and Elizabeth Mary Borsos Halsey.

A lifetime resident of Lewiston, he attended Whitman Elementary, College Elementary, Sacajawea and Jenifer Junior High Schools and Lewiston High School. During his hardscrabble upbringing in downtown Lewiston, he was often found fishing and playing on the Clearwater River near Holbrook Island.

Ron served in the Idaho National Guard for six years, from 1962-1968 attaining a rank of E5.

Meeting his future wife Marilyn Diane DeGraf on a blind date on April 8, 1965, they were married Jan. 25, 1966 in Coeur d’Alene.

After finishing school, Ron worked at Potlatch Lumber mill for seven years. He was then employed by Washington Water Power for 37 years where he started August, 1970. He worked with both gas and electricity. He started working on the dredge at the old Washington Water Power dam. His last job was with Avista Utilities as a natural gas serviceman until his retirement in September of 2006.

Ron was an avid outdoorsman and hunter. He enjoyed hunting for deer, game birds and elk. He loved the outdoors, backpacking, rafting, riding motorcycles, hiking into high mountain lakes to catch the lunker, deep sea fishing, skiing and riding four wheelers.

He loved foraging for huckleberries and mushrooms at every opportunity. Ron was much better at eating huckleberries than picking them.

In addition, he enjoyed refinishing antiques, gardening, tinkering in his shop, cutting wood, carpentry, watching old western movies, TV shows and reading his Bible.

He designed and built a cabin near Elk City in 1986. He built the cabin by hand, putting it together in pieces at his Lewiston home before assembling it. Working on the cabin was one of his joys.

Ron traveled to most states and Canadian Provinces, many in his motorhome. He also went to Europe twice. His travels also included many Civil War sites where he enjoyed learning about history. The Oregon Coast was a frequent destination.

He was a member of the Church of Christ in Lewiston for 51 years and served in many capacities. He also volunteered his free time often during his retirement.

Ron is survived by his wife of almost 61 years, Marilyn Halsey, his son Al Halsey, daughter-in-law Brenda McKenzie and most favorite grandson Connor Benjamin Halsey. He is also survived by his sisters, Anna Jane Gibbs, of Juliaetta, Rebecca O’Connor, of Clarkston, and Jane Thorpe, of Kennewick. Also, Ron is survived by his niece and nephew, Jason Halsey, of Honolulu, and Adele Preyer, of Fortuna, Calif. and other relatives.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather Benny Hubbard, brother Howard Halsey, his in-laws Archie and Lila DeGraf, and his much beloved dog Tuffy.

Donations may be made to the Winter Spirit display at the Locomotive Park, P.O. Box 1813, Lewiston, ID 83501, or to the Asotin County Museum, 215 Filmore St., Asotin, WA 99402.

Per Ron’s wishes, there will be no services held.