Palmer Olai Wold passed away on Thursday, February 18 at Silverton Hospital; he was 80 years old. Palmer was diagnosed with ALS in May of 2018 which ultimately took his life.

Palmer was born to Norwegian parents, Austin and Myrtle in Bellingham, Washington on June 24, 1940. He grew up in small logging towns in Idaho where his father Austin planted churches. Palmer shared fond childhood memories of roaming through the woods and fishing in the Little Salmon River. After high school, Palmer attended and graduated from Montana Institute of the Bible. Palmer started his career by serving full-time in the Air Force from 1963-1967. Palmer continued his military service by serving in the Army National Guard for 28 years. He retired from the Guard as a Sergeant Major (E-9) in 2000. Along with his military service, Palmer spent his career working as a relay technician--first in Idaho, and then for Chugach Electric in Anchorage, Alaska where he worked for 22 years until he retired.

After retirement, Palmer moved with his family to Silverton, Oregon where he and his wife, Beverly (Fisher) have extended family. Palmer was an active member of Emmanuel Bible Church since he moved to Oregon in 1999. He was a devout follower of Christ and loved studying God's Word. For ten years, Palmer attended Bible Study Fellowship. He also believed in ministry and led home fellowship groups through his church.

Palmer relied on his faith through a divorce and the death of a spouse. He was greatly blessed to find a long-term partnership when he married Beverly Ann Fisher in May of 1982. Palmer is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 39 years, Beverly Wold, Silverton; son Shannon and wife Nancy, Anchorage Alaska; daughter Vashti Young and husband Chris, Salem; daughter Tana Garcia and husband Bob, Salem; daughter Lisa Wold, New Brighton, Minnesota; daughter Deborah Wold, Scotts Mills; sisters Linnea Shaw, Lovella Richardson, and Lila Shelburne; 14 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

An open viewing will be held Thursday, February 25 from 3:00 – 7:00pm at Unger Funeral Chapel on 229 Mill Street, Silverton OR. The memorial service will be held at Emmanuel Bible Church on February 26th at 2:00pm on 8512 Sunnyview Road NE, Silverton, OR. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Emmanuel Bible Church Building Fund.