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Born in Wetaskiwin Alberta, Wally was predeceased by his wife Flora, his parents Eric and Hazel, siblings Gordon, Viola (Stanyer), Mickey, Demi (Smith), nieces Lynn Arkell, Leanne White, nephews Roger and Brian Stanyer. Survived by nieces Penny Roberts, Dana Smith, Vivian McDonald, Donna Chilton, Gail Francis and nephews David, Peter, Mickey, and Paul Smith and numerous great nieces and nephews

The Carlson family left Alberta to join Eric who had come west in 1937, seeking work with the family’s wish list for a place in the mountains beside a lake. After travelling by train, ferry, bus, speeder car and water taxi they landed in Caycuse on Lake Cowichan where their father had secured a $100 house. It would be here that Wally would later say it was love at first sight when he met Flora. Although they waited until the end of the war to marry in Vancouver, Wally was deeply in love and devoted to Flora from that meeting until her passing in 2006 following 61 years of marriage.

Wally served in the war and trained in Britain to be a tank radio operator in the C Squadron, 25th Canadian Armoured Regiment BCR. Wally was a prisoner of war for almost a year. He spoke very little of these experiences until his later life when he told his story in Wally’s War.

Wally was known for his writing in Caycuse…limericks to mark life events, poems and short stories for the Caycuse Memories book, and the inscription on the Community memorial.

Wally had a long, varied career in the logging industry at Caycuse. From whistle punk to machine operator to his final years as dispatcher, he was a hugely respected and universally well liked Logger. Likewise, Wally and Flora were active members of the community. Wally was known to stand in for Santa at Christmas Concerts, they were avid members of a bridge club, drama club, and Wally and brother Gordie were ‘famous’ as the owners of a Rhodonite mine they fondly called the Hee-Haw to mark its steep climb! As serious rockhounds, family and friends received hand-crafted jewellery that we wear fondly to this day.

Wally and Flora retired to Duncan where he was active in the Cowichan Valley Seniors Centre and sat on the strata council for their condo association. Wally always had a sense of doing his part. Although they had no children themselves, Uncle Wally came alongside each of us in the family at various times with kindness and help in any way he could.

We wish to offer sincere thanks to Wally and Flora’s long time doctor, Dr. Reimer for his kind care of them both. Also, our unending gratitude to the staff at Cairnsmore Care Facility who gave such amazing care to Wally…he loved you all! Thanks too to the Old Loggers of Caycuse who came faithfully to re-log every tree on every hill, and to the Breakfast Club where he was an active participant every Saturday. Thanks to Rob Norman for his faithful visits. Finally a special thanks to Connie Stanyer for her ongoing support to Wally and management of his affairs to always ensure his comfort.

No service by request. Wally was a supporter of the BC Forest Discovery Centre, and donations to there would be appreciated…ride the train and sit in the seat with his name on it while remembering this wonderful old logger and honourable man with fond memories.



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