Two Treasure Valley’s farming icons, Richard and Camilla Wagstaff, had long said they “both wanted to leave this life together,” and the couple’s loving online tribute at https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/richard-wagstaff-obituary?id=36298619 said, “On Aug. 19, 2022, their wish came true.
Camie, as she was known far and wide, died early that morning, and Dick passed away right after midnight that night, “just 16 short hours apart.”
The Wagstaffs were married 61 years and parents of five children. They were also grandparents and great-grandparents.
The family obituary said, “Richard Lloyd Wagstaff, known as Dick, was born in American Fork, UT, to John and Ruth Wagstaff. When Dick was nine, he moved to Parma, ID. That is where his love of farming started. He graduated from Parma H.S. He then served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in Kentucky and West Virginia. He loved the people there and often talked about it.”
The tribute also noted that later in life, Dick was able to take Camie to West Virginia and Kentucky and visit with some of the people he met.
“Dick had two brothers, Larry and John,” the obituary read. “He also had four sisters, Beth, Linda, Elaine, and Susan, with him being the oldest. Right after his mission, his beloved mother passed away leaving the family with seven children, the youngest being only eight. It was during that time that he met the future love of his life Camilla Bruneel, also known as Camie.”
And the family tribute added, “As we understand it, he nicknamed her Camie because he couldn’t remember or pronounce Camilla right.”
The tribute spoke lovingly of Camie, saying, “Camilla Juleen Bruneel was born on Memorial Day, May 30, 1942, during a storm. She had no hair but big blue eyes. She was born to Rusty and Billie Bruneel in Boise, ID.”
Camie grew up in Eagle and Nampa, graduated from Nampa H.S. and went on to graduate from beauty school in Nampa. Her best friend was her brother Rich, and she also very much loved her younger brothers, Bill and Bud.
“She was introduced to Dick Wagstaff on a blind date. This is where their story began,” the obituary tribute said.
On Sept. 18, 1961, Dick and Camie – along with their best friends, Spud and Francie – eloped to Winnemucca NV, where they got married. “Exactly a year later both couples were sealed in the Logan Utah temple,” the tribute said.
Dick and Camie started their married life in Parma, ID, where their first daughter, Valene, was born. Julene came along 13 months later.
The young family moved to the Nyssa area where Rob was born and where Dick and Camie spent many long years working hard hours for Wayne and Ruth Berrett Farms.
Children Annie and Brent soon joined the family, and in 1976 Dick started farming on his own – with Camie and his five children helping.
“He loved farming and had a vision of what he wanted his posterity to become,” the tribute explained. And by 1999 four of the five Wagstaff children and their families were in the farming business as well. It was that family group that came together and created WBH Farms – Dick’s dream. Through the years WBH Farms has continued to grow and expand.
Eventually Dick and Camie retired and moved to Ontario, OR. But they always enjoyed farm life.
“They loved to support their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren,” the obituary said. “They attended countless hours at ballgames, concerts, and family gatherings. If they had a grandchild or great-grandchild involved in something, they were there.”
Homemaker Camie loved that role, it said, and she also loved to cook. “Her turtle chocolate candies at Christmas will be missed,” the tribute said. “She loved her lawn and took great pride in her flowers and her lawn with freshly cut grass.”
And in his later years, Dick loved driving out to the farm and to the shop. “It brought him the greatest joy. He would go out and watch the tractors running with a wish that he could be in them. He was very proud of what his dream had turned into,” the tribute said.
The Facebook page for Central Produce Distributors pays tribute to Dick and Camie as well at
Noting Central Produce is owned by three growing operations, it says, “WBH is a third-generation family farm located in Nyssa, OR. The farm was started by Grandpa Richard Wagstaff at the age of 40 after working for years as a hired man and factory worker. After that Charles Hansen(son-in-law), Dennis Bowns(Son-in-law), and Rob and Brent Wagstaff (Sons) went all in to the farm game with Richard as partners to create WBH Farms. Grandpa’s small dream and big leap of faith has grown to 7,000 acres. Four second-generation and five third-generation families families all work together full-time to make that farm go round.”
It continues, “The farm is a great place for them to raise their children and provide for their families.. TOGETHER! There’s now even some fourth-generation kids helping around the farm… Farming is a tough profession, but seeing this family work together is a beautiful and efficient piece of art. We sure appreciate their onions that they provide us and therefore our customers, always focusing on family-grown quality. It’s always neat to see an American Dream still being fulfilled for the Wagstaff, Bowns, and Hansen families! @ Nyssa, Oregon.”
Dick and Camie Wagstaff left a wonderful legacy,” the obituary said. “The family was everything to both of them. They taught their kids to work hard but also have fun and enjoy life.”
They were proceeded in death by Dicks parents, John, Ruth, and Ileen Wagstaff, and his siblings John, Beth, and Larry; by Camie’s parents, Rusty and Billie Brunee, and her siblings Rich and Bud and grand-daughter Ashley Hansen Jephson.”
The couple is survived by Valene Hansen, her children and grandchildren; Troy and Courtney, Max, Peyton, and Jayne Hansen; (Ashley) Roger and Krista, Ashton, Jocelynn, Ryker, and Alivia Jephson; Kory and Rebecca, Hannah, Henry, Haisley, and Holton Hansen; Chelsey and Jake, Camryn, Mack, and Jude Brooks; Brody and Bailey, and Boone Hansen; Anthony and Samantha Hansen, Clark and Callum Hansen; Charley and Ben, Lydia, and baby Mitchell.
Julene and Dennis Bowns and their children and grandchildren; J.D. and Danna, Julianna, Lorien, John, Dennis, and Eli Richard Bowns; Denise and Glen, Vince, McKee, Cam, and Sunny Adams; Stevie Bowns; Randy and Kiah, Brody, Harper, Rev, and Finley Bowns; Ryann and Christian, Olive and Crew Hulme; Katie and Scott, Scout and Reece Beer; Samantha Bowns; Annie Bowns.
Rob and Kim Wagstaff; Tyler and Brette, Aynslie, Braxten, Chance, and Dali Wagstaff; Genniel and Spencer, Blaine, Quinn, Lon, and Wes Frahm; Kimber and John, Neil and June Ropp; Robbi and Kenny, Jett and Kacie Marler; Maryn Wagstaff.
Annie and Sean Riley; Katharine and A.J., Victoria, Alexander, and Lillian Garland Jessica Riley; Elizabeth (Lizzy) Riley; Parker Riley; Brent and Karena Wagstaff; Austin and McKenna, Maisie, Baker, and Tatum Wagstaff; Celeste and Tyler, and Konnor Osborn; Ivey and Chris, and Ember Pilgrim; Levi and Jacey Wagstaff; Belle Wagstaff; Hadee Wagstaff.
Services for Dick and Camie were held Sept. 1 at the Owyhee Ward Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and their burials followed at the Owyhee Cemetery.
On a personal note from OnionBusiness.com, Richard and Rob Wagstaff, Dennis and Randy Bowns, and the Wagstaff, Bowns, and Hansen families with WBH Farms were one of the first farms to agree to be highlighted in a harvest video back in 2016. Over the years, WBH Farms graciously volunteered to have their planting operations filmed along with more harvest activities. Below is one of OnionBusiness’ favorite videos filmed in 2018. Thank you to WBH! Richard and Camie will be missed!
