The ranks are thinning, another one has gone. Roy Clifford Wahl, age 95, of Montana City, Montana, passed away on Monday, February 18, 2013.
Roy was born in Minot, North Dakota on July 6, 1917 to Anton and Clara Helgeson Wahl. His family moved to Des Moines, Iowa where they lived until his mother passed away when Roy was eight years old.
Roy and his sister Violet were placed in the Norwegian Lutheran Home in Chicago, Illinois. He was very proud of the lessons learned there. He developed lifelong friendships, and credits his strong work ethic to the fine leadership, and kindness of certain individuals in the home.
He spent his high school years in Matawan, New Jersey, living on a farm with an Aunt and Uncle. He accompanied his Aunt on a trip to Helena, Montana, and she returned to New Jersey on her own. It was love at first sight. He loved Montana and those feelings never left him. He loved the mountains, the fresh air, and the big, blue Montana Sky.
Roy began working at ASARCO- East Helena Plant in the Assay Office in 1939. On September 16, 1940 he joined the Montana National Guard, 163rd infantry – 41st infantry division and was stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington when the US entered WWII in 1941.
He then went into the Army Air Corp and served as a First Lieutenant, Bombardier Navigator, flying B-25s with the 83rd Bomb Squadron, 12th Bomb Group. Roy flew 68 missions in North Africa, Italy, and the China, Burma, India Theater, and he received the distinguished flying cross and air medal, and left the Air Corp October 1945.
Roy met Grace Dadds on a Greyhound bus in 1938, corresponded throughout the war, and on May 20, 1945 they were married in New York City, NY. At the time of her death they had been married 57 years.
They made Helena their home after leaving the Air Corp, and Roy returned to ASARCO working as the safety and personnel director. In 1950, they were transferred to Livingston, New Jersey where he was very involved in volunteer activities, a charter member of the Presbyterian Church, PTA, American Legion, and belonged to the bowling and baseball leagues.
During his time in Livingston, he and Grace raised two daughters, Barbara and Susan.
In 1964 the family was transferred with ASARCO to Walnut Creek, California where he again did volunteer work, was involved in the Presbyterian Church, Heather Farms Garden Club, and worked and retired twice.
Montana beckoned once again, and in 1992 they retired in Montana City. Since being back, Roy was a member of the Presbyterian Church, Pacaderm Club, Navy League, American Legion, lifelong member of the Masons, a docent and board member of the Ft. Harrison Military Museum.
Roy was a loving husband, the greatest dad, and a wonderful grandfather who was admired and adored by his grandchildren. He loved carpentry, gardening, travel, his country, and most of all his friendships with the many people who touched his life.
We love you Dad, and will miss your sense of humor, positive attitude, and for teaching us so many lessons in life.
From this earth you take your leave.
To Fly! To Sore! Forever more.
Roy is preceded in death by his parents, is wife Grace Dadds Wahl, and his sister Violet Wahl Leland.
He is survived by his daughter Barbara and husband Larry Nelson of Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, and grandchildren, Drew Nelson of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Trish Nelson of Rock Hill, SC. His daughter Susan Vivrette and husband Ken Vivrette of Montana City, and grandchildren Jeremy Vivrette, and Gregory (Skye) Vivrette of Helena. His niece Lisa Leland Warren of Helena, nephew Mark Leland of East Helena, and cousins Myrtle Fowler of Helena, Pearl Halmrast of Shelby, Howard Wahl of Napa, California, and David Wahl of Wenatchee, Washington, and nephew Ken Leland of Great Falls, MT.
In addition, he is survived by a number of cousins in Montana, Minnesota, California, Washington, and North Dakota.
The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday, February 21, 2013 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, February 22, 2013 at the funeral home with a reception to immediately follow in the social hall of the funeral home. Burial with military honors will take place at 2:00 p.m. at Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. Memorials in Roy’s name are suggested to the Montana Military Museum, PO Box 125, Ft. Harrison, MT 59636-0125 or to an organization of your choice.
Service Schedule
Visitation
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday February 21, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Friday February 22, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Friday February 22, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
2:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Friday February 22, 2013
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Hero's Rd.
Ft. Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Visitation
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday February 21, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Friday February 22, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Friday February 22, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
2:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Friday February 22, 2013
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Hero's Rd.
Ft. Harrison, Montana 59636
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Mary Craigle says
I was saddened to see today’s announcement but know Roy is with Grace among his many friends and angels. What a wonderful man. I looked forward to being in the pew ahead of him each Sunday so much. I am traveling so can’t make the service but my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Grace Marie Villwock Angotti says
Our greatest sympathy to you at this time of great sorrow. Memories overflow of the times when we were young on our farm in Southwestern Michigan or times we traveled to Chicago and Roy, Grace and my “special” distant cousins, Barb and Susan would visit. Grace was my Godmother – my mother’s first cousin and of course my name, Grace, is a loving family name. I cherish those memories. I will always remember his love of family and his wonderful sense of humor.
Thank you Roy for being part of my life.
My thoughts and love to your family at this time of sadness.
Love, Grace Marie
Käthe and Milton Crum says
We knew Roy only a short time as tablemates in Aspen Gardens. When we moved in, Roy welcomed us in his warm and friendly fashion. When a person sitting next to Roy needed help with eating, he provided it with gentle kindness. Roy mustered up the toughness and courage required during World War II, but he preserved his warmth, friendliness, gentleness, and kindness for the remainder of his life.
Cathie Schoer says
I knew Roy when I worked at ASARCO. What a wonderful man. He will be greatly missed. My prayers are with you.
Howard Wahl says
Roy has been the Patriarch of the Wahl family for many years, and will be sadly missed. My Dad Milo and he were cousins. We all found each other in Walnut Creek, CA in 1967 and thus began a wonderful time of families growing together. Roy and Grace, and Barbara and Sue were the perfect relatives for Carroll and I and our children, Jeff, Mike, and Nancy. Roy’s 4th of July birthday parties were always the highlight of the summer, for all of their friends and relatives.
In addition to being a wonderful man with many interests and skills, he was of course a real warrior and WW II hero. There is so much to be proud of with Roy. A great era has ended with his passing, but we are all better for having been a part of his life. My brother David and I enjoyed him so much and thank him for being an inspiration in our lives.
Fly high and safe Roy,
Howard Wahl
Nancy Wahl Coppola says
Roy will be sadly missed. I remember numerous 4th of July Parties and Roy and Grace’s beautiful backyard in Walnut Creek, CA. He was a wonderful spirit and I’m sure he is up with Grace…loving it! Our hearts are with with everyone in Montana.
Love,
Rick, Nancy, Samantha and Thomas
Jeff Wahl says
So sorry to hear of Roy’s passing. He and Grace were always a loving example for family and friends. I’m thankful for the example of positive attitude, hard work, perserverance and volunteerism. Can’t say enough good things about Roy, he spent a lifetime doing the right thing.
Thanks Roy! Enjoy what’s ahead
Tom and Judy Rolfe says
To the entire Wahl Family we extend our sincere sympathy. We have such fond memories of Roy and Grace from their days at First Presbyterian Church here in Helena. What kind and gentle people they both were. Roy will surely be missed by all of you, he was a wonderful Christian man who set a great example by his personal witness.
Peggy Solene says
I have so many wonderful memories of the Wahl family when they lived in Walnut Creek, CA. Their home was my sanctuary during high school when Sue and I first met. Sue and I marched in the high school drill team and everywhere we went Roy was there capturing our antics on film. He was always smiling as he snapped each picture. It was abundantly clear how much he loved his daughters. He was a great dad and I am very honored to have had the opportunity to have known him. God bless you, Roy.
William Scholtes says
As Roy Said: “Until we meet again, may the good Lord take a liking to you”
Cathy Ferguson says
My thoughts and prayers go out to you in the loss of Roy. Roy was a wonderful neighbor always willing to share his stories and experiences in WWII . While at Aspen Gardens, he was always eager to have visitors and became a comrade of my dad, Arlo, while he lived there. I am honored to have know Roy the last 9 years.
Sherry Jones says
I was saddened to learn of Roy’s death. Although I only knew him for a short time -when Roy and my dad, Arlo Jones, were house mates at Aspen Gardens- he left an endearing impression upon me. Roy was a joy to visit with and was a wonderful companion to the other residents. But, what impressed me the most was the loving care of his daughter Sue and other family members. Their love was a tribute to Roy and represented what a wonderful man he was.
My deepest sympathy to his family,
Sherry Jones
Charlene Scholtes Margot says
Our hearts go out to the entire Wahl family as the loss of their “hero,” Roy Wahl. The Scholtes cousins have wonderful memories of Roy, Grace and our new cousins, Barb and Sue, during the years they lived in Walnut Creek. And those incredible 4th of July parties! Our family will always remember his huge smile and booming laugh…a man who truly delighted in his family, friends, and neighbors, and who showed them unmatched love, care, and affection. We will miss you, Uncle Roy! And July 6 (our shared birthday) will never be the same.
Connie Baber says
Dear Barb, Sue and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I will always remember the great time that I had on the trip to Calif. with Aunt Mae and both of you. Your parent were wonderful people. I’m sure that your parents and mine are all together talking over old times.
Sincerely,
Connie Payne-Baber, Galien MI
Ginny (Cripe) Stevens says
Dear Barb and Sue,
I remember spending my 7th birthday with your family in New Jersey. We went to the Bronx Zoo, your Dad took my brother to a Yankee baseball game and I almost drown in the Atlantic Ocean! So many years ago……but, such wonderful memories of your family’s kind hospitality. May God bless and comfort you at this time.
My sincere sympathy,
Ginny (Cripe) Stevens, Niles, Michigan
Joan and David Smith says
We live in the beautiful home that Roy and Grace built here on South Hills Road. Roy’s spirit will be in every corner of this well planned and well built home. We are honored to have met him when we moved here over ten years ago. We feel blessed that a part of Roy walks on this land and we will always carry fond memories of him. Our condolences to his family. Roy was such a positive man. David and Joan Smith, 106 South Hills Road, Montana City, Montana
David Matteson says
My Dad Jack Matteson flew with Roy during WWII…He often spoke of their times together… Was looking up their Bomb Squadron and found this sad news…Just wanted to offer my Condolences….Dave Matteson