Obituary of Wallis George Martin

Wallis George Martin, 81, moved to Heaven on April 11, 2020, in Lacey, Washington, his home of 14 years. He grew up in Seattle before marrying and moving to Mount Lake Terrace, and then settled in Lynnwood from 1969 to 2006.

 

Wally graduated from Seattle’s Lincoln High School in 1957. He was an Eagle Scout and went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force and then Air Force Reserve for a total of eight years as a mechanic. He was an auto mechanic for the first years out of the Air Force and always had a great love for vintage cars.

 

 He married Judy Arlene Nelson, his wife of 56 years, in 1962.   He was a very devoted husband and took full time care of his Judy for 20 years later on. While they were raising their girls, Jennifer Lynn “Jenna” Asdel and Alicia Cleland, Wally became a plumber and later worked as a construction foreman for Stirrett Johnsen Inc. for more than 20 years. He was a very active union member and Executive Board member for United Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 26. 

 

Wally lived life to the fullest. He was always cheerful and helpful. He gave generously of his time helping others, and was the plumber for both his church and the Edmonds Masonic Temple, where he was a Freemason. His most prized possession was his ’36 Chevy Coupe with a rumble seat. The car was symbolic of who he was since he was always mechanical and helping others, especially older friends of his mom’s for free,  When he was 16, one of the widows he had been helping handed him the keys to her car!  He treasured that car over the years and became active in two vintage car clubs that he very much enjoyed.

 

He and Judy were longtime members of the Checkerboard Squares Square Dance Club in Edmonds, Washington. He was very social and loved to travel, visit car museums, and go on road trips with the vintage car club. He also loved to take his girls camping and waterskiing, support them in their activities, as well as support his grandkids’ activities later on. He treasured his memories of many years of vacationing with his family at Lake Chelan. In recent years, his friendly smile was recognized at his regular places for morning breakfast, Jack In The Box, and later Burger King and 4th on 5th Sandwich Shop, where they all knew and greeted him by name.  He developed a close friendship with Mike and Lisa Colbert whom he referred to as “his other kids.” 

 

Wally was a perfectionist who wanted things done a certain way, and was a loyal family man who his wife Judy and both of his daughters knew they could always count on.

 

Judy moved to Heaven on May 28, 2019. Wally is survived by his daughters, Jenna and Alicia; his grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and by his by his oldest brother, Arthur Martin, whom he visited down in Portland every month.

 

Wally will be greatly missed.

 

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