Wallace Wilson

Wallace (aka Wally) Wilson, of Roseburg, Oregon went to be with the Lord, on May 1, 2017. He was born January 5, 1925 to Harry and Achsa Wilson on the family ranch. He attended school and worked the families' small farm. Wally loved being in the rodeo and riding broncs.

Wally enlisted into the Army October 1943 until February 1946. He was in active duty in WWII. He served in Pearl Harbor where he was stationed on top of Diamond Head overlooking the harbor for potential attacks. He then fought on the island of Peleliu, a small island the Japanese used to refill planes. He was on the heavy artillery division of the US Army. After the first attacks were done by the Marine Corp, the Army was second in to help to secure the island.

After the war he returned to Roseburg. He worked as part of the sheriff posse and worked for the county building bridges. After a few years with the department he became the foreman and ran his own crew. He worked for the county until his retirement.

Wally married the love of his life, Vera in 1976. They spent the remainder of their lives together until Vera became ill and passed away in 2014.

The last 2 ½ years Wally was able to cross a few things off his bucket list. He returned to Pearl Harbor and was treated like a celebrity. People lined up to hear his stories from WWII. He revisited Waikiki Beach. He asked his grandson, Michael, "where the hell am I"? The city was not as he remembered 71 years ago. He remembered it just being open fields with a few businesses.

After Hawaii, he was honored with a trip to Washington DC with the Honor Flight Organization. They visited the WWII memorial. He was treated with great respect. Getting off the plane in DC he was greeted with hundreds of people waving flags. There is no doubt why WWII Vets are called the strongest generations.

Wally lived a full life filled with many memories and was loved by all who knew him. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. We will always be grateful for his service to his country and his family.

Wally's Faith for the Lord was strong and very important to him. He loved his church family, Church of Prophecy, and we appreciate all the support from them.

Wall was proceeded in death by his wife, Vera, Brothers, Walter, Warren, Wesley and his Sisters, Hazel and Hilda. By his children, Sue, Nellie and Larry.

Wally is survived by his Sister, Helen. By his Children Wyonia and her husband Dwight, Bill and his wife Wendy, Dave, Debbie and Nancy. Numerous nieces and nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Service will be held at Chapel of the Roses on Harvard, on May 17th at 12:30. A burial at the VA National Cemetery will follow at 2 p.m. A small family gathering will take place following the burial