Wallace C. (Wally) Hill, 91, Omak, passed away peacefully with his family at his side, on Sunday September 23, 2012.
          He was born in Princeville, IL on Oct. 7, 1920 to Harry S. and Florence M. Hill. Wally was the middle of four siblings, Harry (Bill), Marjorie, Barbara (Bobbie), and Marion (Bud). In early 1924 the farm was sold and the family moved to Lake Chelan, Wash., where he attended the first through third grades. The family then moved to Rock Island, Wash. where he completed his schooling.
          During the summers of his junior and high school years he worked in the orchards and warehouses. After completing school he worked in the packing sheds until 1941 when he accepted a job as truck driver and warehouseman for Wenatchee Valley Foods.
          While working for Wenatchee Valley Foods, he met the love of his life, Mary Ruth Kerr. They were married on March 28, 1942 in Couer d’ Alene, Idaho, by Methodist Minister, Willard E. Stanton.
          He worked at the Ardenvior Mill until moving to Puyallup, Wash. in 1943, where he worked for the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards on air craft carriers until being called for duty in the U.S. Army on July 20, 1944, at which time he moved the family back to Rock Island, Wash.
          His WWII service included campaigns on Saipan, Okinawa and the Philippines. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant, earning the Good Conduct Medal, Expert Rifleman Badge, Philippine Liberation Medal, Bronze Star, Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal, Presidential Unit Citation and The Purple Heart.
          After returning from the service, he and Mary worked at Superior Cleaners until 1949 when they opened their own dry cleaning business. They owned and operated Mid State Cleaners until 1978 when they decided to sell the business as Wally was working for the Chelan County P.U.D. where he retired in 1983.
          After selling the business and retiring, they spent the summers at their summer home on Lake Chelan, and traveled extensively in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, including Alaska and Hawaii, spending twelve winters in Yuma, Ariz. He loved to hunt, fish, boat and travel, taking their boat as far north as Ketchican, Alaska, fishing in Washington, Montana, Alaska and Arkansas and hunting in Washington and Montana. Following the sale of the home in East Wenatchee and the summer home on Lake Chelan, they built a retirement home in Omak, Wash., where he lived until his death.
          Wally was very active in local affairs, including serving 13 years as school board member, 14 years as volunteer fireman and 13 years as Douglas County Fire Commissioner. He was a 65 year member and Past Commander of Wenatchee Post #10 of The American Legion, a 37 year member and Past Commodore of the Lake Chelan Yacht Club, Past President of Lake Chelan Chapter of I. O. B. G., 36 year member of the Elks Lodge, Past President of Dist. #1, of the International Order of Blue Gavel, Past Recording Secretary of the International Order of Blue Gavel.
          He is survived by his children, daughter and son-in-law, Shirley and Tom Berschauer, of Omak, WA.; son, Thomas C. Hill of Libby, Mont.; and daughter and friend, Linda Cooper and Dwight Peterson of Wenatchee, Wash.; numerous nieces and nephews; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
          He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; two sisters; and his beloved wife of 69 years, Mary.
          Services will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, Sept. 28, 2012 at the Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel in Okanogan with a luncheon to follow at the Omak Elks.
          Graveside services will be held the following day at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 29, 2012 in the Wenatchee City Cemetery, Wenatchee, Wash.