Obituary of Wallace R. Hoffman

Wally, 93, passed away January 11, 2014 in Olympia, Washington, where he had lived for 50 years. He was born December 29, 1920 to Harry and Margaret (Lucas) Hoffman in Bremerton, Washington. Wally served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II as a B-17 pilot, flying 35 missions over Europe. He married the love of his life, Alma Turner, on July 18, 1946, and graduated from WashingtonStateUniversity with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture in 1948. Professionally, he worked for the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard after graduation from college, and the U.S. Department of Education, Bureau of Land Management in Wenatchee, Chehalis, and Auburn until 1957. Then he worked for the Department of Natural Resources and was in charge of the land management of the state trust lands (school lands) in Olympia, Washington. He retired from state service in 1982. Wally also served as a volunteer firefighter in Auburn, and after moving to Olympia, he joined Lacey Fire District 3 as a Fire Commissioner in 1966, and served in that capacity for 16 years until 1982. He then transferred to a volunteer and contractor status where he served in various capacities but most notably as the Fire Warden over the District’s Ranger Program until he fully retired at the end of 2000 after 34 years of service. He was a 67-year Mason, finishing all of his degrees in 1946. In 1966, he became a member of Harmony Lodge18, serving as Master in 1974. Wally was active in many service groups, but his number one priority was always his family. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Alma; daughters, Diane (Ken) Martin of Rainier, Washington, and Debbie (Larry) Culwell of Olympia; and one sister, Phyllis Caley. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Robert (Cheryl) Horton, Olivia Strout, Dennis (Ruth) Horton, Megan (Jamey) Whitney, and David Strout; and nine great grandchildren. Please leave memories of Wally or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.