Wallace Stirling

Wallace Wally Stirling's - Life in Review Wallace did not die as he lived. He succumbed to Parkinson's disease. Rather than fight a losing battle, he recognized the inevitable consequences of the disease and bore those consequences stoically without desire to prolong a life ravaged by Parkinson's. Still and always, his stock reply, even at the worst of times was "I'm in the pink" and would smile that half smile of his. That was Wallace at the end. Now a few words on the life he lived and loved. He was born in Blaine County, Montana to Tom and Georgia Stirling June 7, 1930. He grew to manhood on the farm and ranch that was his home. He graduated from Turner High School, attended Northern Montana College, went into the Air National Guard, and then back to the farm. Wally married twice, two - tens, as JoAnn, his sister was heard to say, and to one of these fine women, Miki, was born his only daughter. Wallace packed a lot of living into one life - starting from his days on the farm with his father, mother, four brothers, and two sisters. He put his inventive talents to work on a design for a loader which was quite remarkable. There too at the time was the age of classic cars, car races and airplanes. He enjoyed all of these and to the fullest. Then from there it was on to business activities in Oregon and he and Charlotte's lovely home in Eugene, and business activities that ranged from a motel in Ashland, to the Jolly Roger Drive-In, the Dairy Delight Ice Cream franchises, to the Real Estate brokerage firm, Stirling Land Company, in Washington. There were altruistic activities associated with the Elks and Junior Chamber of Commerce as well. Love of adventure took him around the world, once heading east and once to the west. He has seen all the warm continents, and has left his mark on countless nations. He spent months at a time in Northern Ireland and around Scotland to compile a Stirling family tree. His genealogy research and notes are truly remarkable. Wallace's travel throughout the United States was also extensive. His trademarks were honoring the national monuments and the wonders of nature. He flew through the Grand Canyon, and navigated a sailboat that was taking on water in heavy seas off the Washington coast. Wally was not willing to wait for a museum to bring him photographs. He wanted to experience everything for himself. We will always remember Wally and his enthusiasm for life and adventure. The family will remember gratefully for all of their collective lives the unbelievable care he received from the staff at the Veterans Hospital at Retsil, Washington. His daughter Heidi, his brothers, Tom, Bill, Roger, his sisters JoAnn and Ida Jane, his sisters-in-law Shirley and Ann Stirling, his brother in law, Conrad, and many close friends stood with him through it all, for his better days, and the days clouded by his disease. One brother, Frank is deceased. Pray with us for his swift journey to the heaven he deserves. In celebration of Wally's Life a memorial service will be held at the Chapel at the Washington State Veteran's Home in Retsil, Washington at 11:00 a.m. Friday October 8th, 2004. There will also be a memorial service at the Turner Lutheran Church, in Turner, Montana at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 16th, 2004. Memorials for "Wallace Stirling" may be given to the Washington State Veterans Home, P.O. Box 698, Retsil, Washington 98378.