Wally Heaton

August 05, 1926 - December 13, 2015

Wally Heaton Obituary (Age 89) With a loving smile on his face, Wally traveled to heaven December 13th after fighting the good fight with his family at his side. He was born in Chamberlin, South Dakota to Suzie Frances O?Donnell and Floyd Vance Heaton. He lived in Sioux City Iowa, and he graduated from high school at age 17. He immediately joined the Navy in May of 1944 and trained at the Great Lakes Naval Training station as a machinist mate. Wally then transported by rail through the Sierra Nevada Mountains to San Francisco Bay. Disappointed he missed deploying with his training mates due to being hospitalized with pneumonia, he later found out that the ship was virtually destroyed and most hands were lost. He still found himself in harm?s way working the boilers and smoke screen generator on the Destroyer DD 605 Caldwell serving in WWII in the South Pacific. He later used his Navy training to launch a career as a mechanical engineer in Spokane, working as a lead engineer on projects like Deaconess Hospital Phase II and the Spokane County Boiler Plant. He met the love of his life, Beverly Mae Conners in Chicago while attending college. Wally loved adventure, mountains, lakes and the great outdoors, so he and Bevie moved west. On November 25th after being without power for 8 days because of the windstorm, Wally and Bev were able to return home to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary and Thanksgiving. Nothing made Dad happier than being in his home surrounded by good food and family. Wally was truly an inspiration and had a mountain of wisdom, love and kindness for all. He is deeply loved and respected by his children Scott (Terry) Heaton, Harlan (Megan) Heaton, Leslie (Denny) Horlacher, Todd (Barb) Heaton, and Renee (Mark) Anderson, including his 12 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren (with one more on the way). His great-granddaughter Cierra Flaget preceded him in death. He will be remembered as a dedicated and faithful Christian, husband, father, and American citizen. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at 11:00 AM at Heritage Chapel with a family graveside burial to follow.