Ernest Frederick ‘Ernie’ Wilcox, 90, a longtime Ocean Shores resident and former Semi Driver for Garrett Freight Lines, died Monday, December 19, 2011 at Pacific Care Center in Hoquiam with his wife Mary and Pastor Alice Hedges by his side. Ernie was born on February 24, 1921 in Winifred, Montana to Charles E. and Christine (Jensen) Wilcox. They moved to Sedro Woolley, WA when Ernie was a baby. Around age 6, they moved to Aberdeen where Ernie later attended Weatherwax High School. Ernie got a job at Boeing at about 19 years old and moved to Seattle with some buddies until he was drafted into the US Army. Ernie was a radio operator with the 104th Reconnaissance Troop from Camp Carson known as the Timber Wolves. He served in Northern France, Germany and Central Europe, sneaking in ahead of Allied Forces and calling in Artillery on the German forces. After sustaining an injury he was transferred state side. Ernie was Honorably Discharged in 1945 with a Purple Heart, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal and The Good Conduct Medal and returned to Aberdeen and worked at a service station in Aberdeen until be began driving semi’s. Ernie went to work for Pacific Highway Transport as a Semi Driver. Pacific later became Garrett Freight Lines and Ernie worked as a Dispatcher but then returned to driving a Semi for them. Ernie retired in 1985. In 1978, Ernie married Mary E. Morgan. She resides in Ocean Shores. Ernie was a life Member of the Aberdeen VFW Post 224, Aberdeen Elks Lodge, #593, Ocean Shores United Methodist Church, and Teamsters. He liked working on electronics, tinkering, traveling with Mary to the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Puerto Rico, The Inside Passage and took a train trip across the United States. All this after Mary’s retirement in 1990. A memorable moment was Ernie’s 80th Surprise Birthday party that was held at the Gitchee Gumee with over 100 attendees, which Mary succeeded in keeping it a surprise. Ernie is survived by his wife Mary of 33 years; a daughter, Colleen Lee of Lake Forest Park, WA; her sons, Don Wilcox and Dave Lee; three stepsons: Douglas and wife Kathleen Gilham of Marysville, Wayne Brewster of Lind, WA and Bill and wife Julie Brewster of Gig Harbor; nine step grandchildren and five step great grandchildren. Ernie was preceded in death by six brothers and sisters and a stepson Larry Brewster in 1977. There will be a celebration of Ernie’s life on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at Ocean Shores United Methodist Church at 2:00 PM located at 557 Pt. Brown Ave NW, Ocean Shores, WA A card of condolence or of a memory can be left for the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com Arrangements are through Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen