Lester William Bolton, 88, of Richland, was born December 27, 1916 in Centerton, Arkansas and died December 6, 2005, at the Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice House in Kennewick.  Lester lived in the Tri-Cities for over 50 years.

“Doodle Bug” spent his childhood “helping” his Grand “Pa” Keller with carpentry projects including building houses and making coffins for the people of Benton County, Arkansas.

Lester graduated from Eagle Rock High School in Los Angeles, California.  When not studying, he did typical teenage things like crashing a party at the house of Film Star Ginger Rodgers.  On September 10, 1941, Lester married Gladys Marie Gooderl in Los Angeles.  She preceded him in death September 10, 1977.

The war found Lester working at Lockheed’s famous Cotton Shed in Burbank, California where he built the P-38 Lightening and P-51 Mustang aircraft as well as a top secret jet prototype.  Lester would continue top secret, cutting-edge  work beginning in the 50’s on the Hanford Project until retiring from UNC.

At the end of World War II, Lester served in the U. S. Army 18th Calvary Troop C.

He was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Richland.

He is survived by sons, Donald Phillip Bolton and David Mark Bolton.  His wife, Gladys Marie Bolton, preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 9, 2005, at Einan’s Funeral Home.  Interment will follow in West Hills Memorial Park, Yakima, WA.