Samuel D. McKay Pendleton February 24, 1969 – November 19, 2018

Published 2:07 pm Friday, November 30, 2018

Samuel D. McKay, 49, “Yaamash Washasha,” born to Sam Willingham and Eileen McKay on February 24,

1969, in Portland, Ore., passed away in his home on November 19, 2018.

During the early ’70’s, he moved to Pendleton with his family. As a child he was raised by his uncle Jake and Aunt Rubilee Willingham. Throughout his youth, the family held a close bond with each other, going on camping trips to Indian Lake, Starkey and North Fork sometimes for more than a week at a time during the summers. There were many swimming trips taken to Hat Rock State Park.

Sam had many interests. He played baseball as a young man, began learning to cook, and later joined Rhythmic Mode in high school; he had the notoriety of being the first male to join the cheer club, later being joined by other males.

He graduated from Pendleton High School in 1988 and after graduation he went to flight school back east where his goal was to become a flight attendant. Returning home, he was hired at Hanford Nuclear through the CTUIR and worked there for five years. When that job ended he was hired at the CTUIR Department of Natural Resources, where he stayed for over 25 years. During this time Sam was well known to be the coordinator of many staff potlucks, often going to find people to sign up if they hadn’t already so there was always plenty of food for events.

Sam’s love of family continued and he was very involved with his nieces’ and nephews’ interests, helping them through sports, and Makayla through her time as Happy Canyon princess.

He is survived by his life partner, Rick Black; his brothers Tony Willingham of Atlanta, Georgia, Daniel Gilchrist of Puyallup, Washington, and Rico McKay of Pendleton, Ore.; sisters Jolynne McKay-Wade of Columbus, Georgia, and Leticia Willingham of Portland, Ore.; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, his grandmother Elsie McKay, and his sister Arzine Willingham.

Burns Mortuary of Pendleton was in charge or arrangements. Sign the online guestbook at http://www.burnsmortuary.com.