Lloyd Eugene Whelchel, 86, of Pullman, passed away Friday, April 2, 2010, at his home, with his family by his side. Lloyd was born March 18, 1924, in Emmett, Idaho, to Arthur Monroe and Emma Belle Neal Whelchel.

Lloyd's grandparents were early pioneers of the Emmett Valley. He attended school in Emmett and graduated from Caldwell High School in 1943. Following his graduation, Lloyd studied at the College of Idaho until October 1945, when he served in the 13th U.S. Army Air Forces, Far East, in the Philippines. Lloyd faithfully served our country until his honorable discharge, July 2, 1947.

Lloyd married Eila Trudgeon in September 1947. He returned to the College of Idaho, graduating in 1951. In 1952, they moved and he began his studies at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, Calif., graduating in 1956.

Lloyd taught at Arlington (Calif.) College in Arlington, then Warner Pacific College in Portland, Ore. It was in 1970 that Lloyd came to Pullman, where he began work on his doctorate degree in anthropology. The family followed in 1971, making their home in Pullman since that time. Following Lloyd's graduation from Washington State University in 1976 he worked for Washington Archaeological Research Center and then for the WSU libraries until his retirement in 1993.

He was an accomplished researcher, teacher and minister throughout his life, serving in both education and as a certified minister within the Church of God, Pacific Northwest Association. His professional memberships included the American Anthropological Association, the Society for American Archaeology, and the American Ethnological Society. Being an accomplished scholar and writer his publications were many including: "The New Colonial System;" "The Church of God: Its Conception of the Church;" "The Church: Its Nature and Mission;" as well as "Perspectives in British and American Anthropology on the Religion of Euro-Americans."

Lloyd enjoyed all that life offered, especially his family, photography, traveling and gardening. Their home was always known for amazing flower gardens and the art of photography now runs throughout the family.

He is survived by Eila, his wife of 62 years, at the family home in Pullman; two sons, David L. Whelchel and his wife Anne of Pullman, and Paul E. Whelchel of Spokane; two daughters and their husbands, Rebecca S. and James Wilson of Waitsburg, Wash., and Marie A. and George Barnes of Carson City, Nev.; and six grandchildren and two great-grandsons.

Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and one sister.

A private family graveside service will take place at the Pullman Cemetery. A celebration of life gathering will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday at the family home in Pullman.

Kimball Funeral Home of Pullman is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials are suggested to the Double K Christian Retreat Center, c/o: the Pacific Northwest Association of the Church of God, 3806 W. Nob Hill Blvd., suite 104, Yakima, WA 98902; or the Friends of Hospice, 1610 NE Eastgate Blvd., suite 850, Pullman, WA 99163.

Online condolences may be sent to www.kimballfh.com.