Harold Jeffery Wickwire passes away at 53 in Washington

Remembering Harold H.J. Wickwire of Washington

Harold Jeffery Wickwire, known to family and friends as H.J. or Hay Wire, passed away on October 28, 2026, as recorded in details published by the Harrison Family Mortuary. Born in McCleary, Washington, on July 20, 1973, he spent his formative years growing up in nearby Elma.

A Life Built on Independence and Logging

Throughout his life, Wickwire maintained a fiercely independent streak. Those who knew him best understood that he preferred figuring things out on his own, rarely asking for help unless every other option had vanished. That resolute work ethic took root early. As a teenager, he entered the logging industry, carrying a hardworking spirit with him through the decades.

During his school years in Elma, Wickwire channeled some of that physical energy into high school sports, wrestling for the local team. Away from work, his happiest hours were spent outdoors. Whether he was heading out for a day of fishing, hunting, or clam digging across the Pacific Northwest landscape, the open air remained his natural domain.

Harold Jeffery Wickwire passes away at 53 in Washington
Photo: harrisonfamilymortuary.com

Companionship and Family Ties

Wickwire never married and did not have children, but he built a tight circle of meaningful relationships. His most constant companion was his dog, Badger, whom he considered his best friend. He also shared lifelong bonds with Jo Ann Bagley and his childhood friend Shannon Chetwood.

He is survived by his mother, Karen Meagher, and stepfather, Jace Meagher, both of Olympia. He leaves behind his uncle, Bill Wickwire, and aunts Jeanie Lillie and Charlotte Emerson, all of Elma, along with aunt Alice Bonilla of Mesa, Arizona, and numerous cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Vern, and his brother, Vern.