Wallace Dowdle, age 84, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, September 9, 2010 at Cross Creek Adult Family Home in Sedro-Woolley, Washington.
He was born on March 21, 1926 in Burlington, Washington and during his childhood he lived with his parents Ralph and Molly Dowdle and his brother Barney in Darrington, Washington. They later moved to Punkin Center, near Hamilton, Washington where he lived the remainder of his life.
After school in Darrington, Wally worked in the logging industry, first for Lake Shannon Logging Co and then Sound View Logging Co.
Wally was drafted in the U.S. Army in 1950 and served in Korea. Upon his discharge, he went back to work for Sound View Logging Co where he was badly injured. He spent the rest of his adult life running the family farm and caring for his mother who died in January of 2003.
Wally loved flowers, gardening, fishing, hunting, and hiking.
Wally had a stroke in 2006 that left him unable to care for himself. He then lived at Clayton House and Cross Creek Adult Family Homes until his passing.
He is survived by two aunts, Jean Guthrie and Phyllis Boulton. One nephew, two nieces and at least five cousins. But most of all, Wally will be missed by his neighbors and friends of Punkin Center.
Graveside Services will be held on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 2:00PM at the Hamilton Cemetery with Pastor Ron Edwards of the Hamilton First Baptist Church officiating. Arrangements and Services are under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
Wasn’t aware of Wally’s death and just read the obituary online on May 2nd, 2011. I knew Wally and Barney during their time in Darrington and visited them years later with my mother near Hamilton. He was a genuine and honest man and faithful to his mother ’till the end. Their communication between each other was interesting to say the least as Molly, in later years, was hard of hearing, and I can still hear her saying, “Hey WALL!”.
I know he will be well received by the man upstairs as he truly lived a good life.
~ Robert L. Noble~
Darrington, WA- Yuma, AZ
I couldn’t believe Wally has been the pillar of Punkin Center for so many years. He was so good to Mollie all the days of her life, and he was very compassionate and caring for his neighbors and friends, I’m sure he will be missed by all. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. It has been a very long time since I saw Wally, but he and Molly lived next door to a very close friend of ours, Jean Queen and her family, Ramson and Jenny Queen and their family. I know he will be missed by all. It won’t seem like Punkin Center without Wally out working in his flowers. I am sure he will be resting in the arms of Jesus
with no more pain or serving.
Barb Snell
Fort Worth, TX
Good Bye Wally,
We are really going to miss you. You have always been a fixture in Mack’s life. As a small child he was always in and out at your house and you always treated him like one of the family. In the later years you and he became closer since he didn’t have a dad and you didn’t have children. As time went on roles reversed and he was there to care for you. Looks like God had a very simple plan for the two of you. Love and caring is the key.
Rest Well Dear Friend, We Love you.
Mack and Juanita