Willie was born in Santa Clara, CA to Yataro and Haru Kaida. They had emigrated from Japan and were farmers so Willie became a farmer, and like many in Red Bluff, he learned to operate farm machinery long before he was old enough to drive.
After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor the family was relocated to Utah. Willie completed high school in Ogden and enlisted in the Army and was posted in an artillery unit based in Korea.
After his military service was completed he and his best friend Tosh Mitome moved to Red Bluff in January 1957, where they started and managed High Sierra Nursery. Willie could grow anything but growing strawberry plants was his vehicle for business and social relationships that spanned nearly 40 years.
Willie had a great respect for good farmers and well run operations and greatly enjoyed his time with Nor Cal Nursery. Farming, fishing and family were his passions but Willie's greatest gift was teaching. Many young men learned discipline, the value of work, being on time, and the meaning of respect from Willie. He was not gentle in dealing out his lessons but people in general were better for knowing him. In his last years he still managed to keep up on current events, friends at the local Moose Lodge, and changes that impacted the community.
Willie is survived by: his wife of 58 years, his sons, daughters in law and grandchildren. Willie loved to be with family.
Published in Daily News on Sept. 4, 2014
After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor the family was relocated to Utah. Willie completed high school in Ogden and enlisted in the Army and was posted in an artillery unit based in Korea.
After his military service was completed he and his best friend Tosh Mitome moved to Red Bluff in January 1957, where they started and managed High Sierra Nursery. Willie could grow anything but growing strawberry plants was his vehicle for business and social relationships that spanned nearly 40 years.
Willie had a great respect for good farmers and well run operations and greatly enjoyed his time with Nor Cal Nursery. Farming, fishing and family were his passions but Willie's greatest gift was teaching. Many young men learned discipline, the value of work, being on time, and the meaning of respect from Willie. He was not gentle in dealing out his lessons but people in general were better for knowing him. In his last years he still managed to keep up on current events, friends at the local Moose Lodge, and changes that impacted the community.
Willie is survived by: his wife of 58 years, his sons, daughters in law and grandchildren. Willie loved to be with family.
Published in Daily News on Sept. 4, 2014
Willie was born in Santa Clara, CA to Yataro and Haru Kaida. They had emigrated from Japan and were farmers so Willie became a farmer, and like many in Red Bluff, he learned to operate farm machinery long before he was old enough to drive.
After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor the family was relocated to Utah. Willie completed high school in Ogden and enlisted in the Army and was posted in an artillery unit based in Korea.
After his military service was completed he and his best friend Tosh Mitome moved to Red Bluff in January 1957, where they started and managed High Sierra Nursery. Willie could grow anything but growing strawberry plants was his vehicle for business and social relationships that spanned nearly 40 years.
Willie had a great respect for good farmers and well run operations and greatly enjoyed his time with Nor Cal Nursery. Farming, fishing and family were his passions but Willie's greatest gift was teaching. Many young men learned discipline, the value of work, being on time, and the meaning of respect from Willie. He was not gentle in dealing out his lessons but people in general were better for knowing him. In his last years he still managed to keep up on current events, friends at the local Moose Lodge, and changes that impacted the community.
Willie is survived by: his wife of 58 years, his sons, daughters in law and grandchildren. Willie loved to be with family.
Published in Daily News on Sept. 4, 2014
After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor the family was relocated to Utah. Willie completed high school in Ogden and enlisted in the Army and was posted in an artillery unit based in Korea.
After his military service was completed he and his best friend Tosh Mitome moved to Red Bluff in January 1957, where they started and managed High Sierra Nursery. Willie could grow anything but growing strawberry plants was his vehicle for business and social relationships that spanned nearly 40 years.
Willie had a great respect for good farmers and well run operations and greatly enjoyed his time with Nor Cal Nursery. Farming, fishing and family were his passions but Willie's greatest gift was teaching. Many young men learned discipline, the value of work, being on time, and the meaning of respect from Willie. He was not gentle in dealing out his lessons but people in general were better for knowing him. In his last years he still managed to keep up on current events, friends at the local Moose Lodge, and changes that impacted the community.
Willie is survived by: his wife of 58 years, his sons, daughters in law and grandchildren. Willie loved to be with family.
Published in Daily News on Sept. 4, 2014
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