Wallis Dale Brown, Sr

Wallis D Brown passed away on March 31, 2026.

Wally was born on May 16, 1927, in Walla Walla, WA, as the second child of four to Virgil Dale Brown and Myrtle Wallis Brown. The family resided in Touchet, WA, where a sister and brother were added.

Wally attended Touchet schools until his junior year. After working for one year, he attended Northwest Bible College. During summer break, he was drafted. On VJ Day, he entered the Navy basic training, where he broke his foot and was medically discharged. He returned to college for two years, then returned home.

Wally met Alta Turner in May 1948 at First Assembly of God, and they were married on August 24, 1948. They made their home in Touchet for most of their 57 years together, where they raised 13 children [4 girls and 9 boys]. Alta passed away in 2005. Wally was a short- and long-haul trucker with a 10-year break as a seed cleaning plant manager. After retirement, Wally was the church custodian and groundskeeper. If it couldn’t be fixed with baling wire, duct tape, or scavenged mechanical parts, it couldn’t be fixed. Wally was a member of the Touchet District Volunteer Firefighters for 30 years, including 3 years as chief.

In 2006, Wally married Alta’s younger sister and best friend, Anona Daun [Daunie] Willoughby, and became second dad to her three sons and two daughters, and gained many more grandchildren. They enjoyed 10 years together as grey-haired newlyweds.

Wally’s deep faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, his love for his family, and his strong work ethic and integrity were an inspiration to all. He was a founding member and former deacon of New Life Community Church, which became The Refuge Church.

While his memory and reality were not always clear the past 2 years, he always seemed to know his grandkids and what was going on in their lives. He loved talking about their accomplishments. Give a one-word comment, and he was sure to give you a trucking story. He always responded to an “I love you” with “We love you, too”. His caregivers called him “Grandpa”.

Surviving Wally are his daughters, Carmen Gallo, Kathy Rohde [Pete], and Jill Brown along with his sons, Wally Brown, Jr [Ruby], Ray Brown [Noni], Mike Brown, John Brown [Lisa], Philip Brown [Shannon], Rodney Brown [Diana], Craig Brown [Frances], and Derek Brown and daughter-in-law Julie Brown. Wally and Alta had 13 kids, 32 grandchildren, 55 great-grandkids, and 14 great-great-grandkids. Also surviving are Daunie’s sons, Robert Willoughby [Janice], Tim Willoughby [Donna], and daughters Judy Kittle [Jack] and Holly Sundberg [Dennis], and his brother Earle Brown [Martha].

Preceding Wally in death were his wives, Alta Brown and Daunie Willoughby Brown, parents, Virgil Dale and Myrtle Brown, sisters, Frankie Weed and Betty Appling, daughter, Linda Allbright, and son, Paul Brown, and numerous brothers and sisters-in-law.

Always ready to pray in his best King James English, Dad’s favorite hymn was

“Great is thy faithfulness, Oh God, my Father. Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed; thy hand has provided. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.”

A family graveside service will be at 9:00 AM at the Touchet Cemetery, followed by a Celebration of Life service on Saturday, April 25, at 11:00 AM at New Beginnings Chapel, 822 W Main St, Walla Walla, led by Nathan Breithaupt, pastor of The Refuge Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Aid Center through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.