Wallace Henry Phillipson

With heavy hearts we share the news of the recent passing of our beloved Wally Phillipson. Wallace Henry Phillipson was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, a well-known volunteer at countless charities, and a proud veteran of two wars. Passing just a few months shy of his 100th birthday, he witnessed many world-changing events and challenging hardships. Throughout it all he maintained his sense of duty and his sense of humor, his devotion to his family and to his country, and his Christian sense of gratitude and fellowship. He was a very special man. We know he is settled in heaven with his beloved wife Camilla, but we mourn the loss of such a great spirit who was truly one of the “good guys’ in this life; one of the last of our “Greatest Generation.”

Wally was born on January 8th, 1924, in Duluth, Minnesota to Henry and Josephine Phillipson. The youngest of their four children, he was only age 5 when the Great Depression swept across the country. His father Henry, a carpenter and cabinetmaker, struggled to earn a living after nearly all the building projects were suspended. Like so many families at that time, the Phillipson’s “sold up and moved,” in pursuit of better economic opportunities. Josephine’s sister and her family were settled in Spokane, WA, so they packed their few possessions and made their way West to join them. Henry worked odd jobs along the route to pay for the gas and food to reach Spokane, with the family camping along roadsides and living out of their car. These “adventures” left a lasting impression on the young Wally, who was always grateful for his many blessings and never missed an opportunity to share what he had with those less fortunate.

Once in Spokane, the family settled into a working-class life that was defined by hard labor and sacrifice. Wally’s generation did not have the time, nor the wherewithal, to enjoy typical childhood pursuits such as sports and leisure activities. Beginning at age 10, Wally delivered groceries for a local store to earn extra money for his family (who often subsisted on little more than potatoes for weeks at a time.) A great memory for Wally was receiving a scholarship to Camp Reed when he was ten years old; he would smile as he recounted his tale of walking barefoot for 30 miles to Fan Lake to enjoy that week of carefree camp activities. He did not own a pair of shoes, nor could he afford the transportation to the camp location, but that did not keep him from having the time of his life! This optimistic attitude permeated Wally’s demeanor throughout his lifetime and caused everyone to marvel at his eternal cheerfulness and ability to look at life’s “bright side.”

With the onset of WWII and still a teenager himself, Wally volunteered for the US Merchant Marines to serve his country. He survived dozens of ocean crossings, transporting vital supplies, vehicles, aircraft, and munitions to the Allied troops fighting around the globe. While home on leave toward the end of the war he met Camilla Jones, and the two continued their courtship through letter-writing while Wally was away at sea. Shortly after the end of the War he returned home to Spokane and Camilla, presumably hoping to plan their life together and enjoy a reprieve from the fighting. Sadly, he was drafted into the Army shortly after arriving home and their life together was, once again, put on hold. Wally witnessed immeasurable human suffering during both war experiences which did not lay lightly on his gentle and compassionate soul. The sights and experiences which he encountered as a young man stayed with him throughout his life.

After serving his time in the Army, Wally returned home and began his 70+ year marriage to Camilla. Always prioritizing faith and family, the couple welcomed four children in just over 8 years; definitely doing their part to participate in America’s post-war “Baby Boom!” Wally pursued his life’s vocation as an ironworker with the International Iron Worker’s Association, working on such projects as the Spokane Airport, hospitals, schools, bridges and the Grand Coulee Dam. As children, we believed our father was “Superman.” Our mom would tell us, “Your dad built this!” as we passed every bridge or building that he had worked on. We wondered why we were not millionaires, with everyone paying their dimes to cross dad’s Maple Street Bridge! He was honored in Washington, DC several years ago for his military service and life long work, humbled to lay the wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Arlington cemetery, and this past summer dad received his 75-year pin from the IWA in front of a standing ovation crowd. Never afflicted by shyness, Wally returned to the stage for a second round of applause!

In addition to his ever-present good nature and legendary work ethic, God bestowed upon Wally a sense of generosity and kindness like no other. Wally reminded his children and grandchildren how blessed we were and how wonderful life was, each and every day. Our family always teased him that he was generous to a fault: Once, when a new pastor and his young family arrived to lead our church, Dad learned that the family had no vehicle. Imagine Camilla’s surprise finding out that Wally had donated the family car to them, leaving her to wrangle her brood of 4 busy young children without a means of shuttling them to and fro. The car in question was a 1960 Hillman, so we all joked that Camilla got the better end of that deal.

Wally Phillipson never met a stranger, and he had the uncanny ability to remember names and faces and make everyone feel special. He was “Uncle Wally” to the hordes of neighborhood kids and was always supporting our games and adventures. Although the prevalent style of parenting in the 1960’s was to allow children to raise themselves while remaining unapproachable and immersed in “cocktail culture,” Wally bucked the trend by valuing his time with his children, nieces and nephews, and their countless friends. Camilla and Wally bought a house with an adjacent vacant lot, which served as the neighborhood “sandlot.” Our house was the place to gather, and Wally was often rushing home from work to join in the daily ball games with the throng of children gathered there. And his involvement followed at the lake, with his boat, Sea King wood skis, and a red “surfboard” made from a door, to entertain the kids. No one will ever forget his genuine smile, eye twinkle, and belly laugh.

Because Wally’s fundamental value was a strong work ethic, Andy and Matt, and nephew Timur, soon learned that “on-the-job” training, independent study, and 12-hour-work-days comprised their childhood. And they weren’t even from the greatest generation! One of their biggest projects was building the family cabin on Lake Coeur d’Alene, and while the lake home would not receive any Homebuilder Association awards, it was a decent build for grade schoolers! The cabin provided decades of happy memories for generations of family and friends.

Like most retirees, Wally and Camilla enjoyed traveling and pursuing leisure activities with their friends, but unlike most people their age they also managed to fill their “free” time serving God and aiding those less fortunate. Most days saw them working at food banks and soup kitchens, driving supplies to those in need, and working to obtain much needed food and other donations (oftentimes by gleaning the overabundance of unpicked produce that would have otherwise gone to waste!) Dad often shuttled “old-timers” to appointments and church; we bit our tongues and did not point out to him that most of his passengers were younger than he was! Wally spent his hours growing a large garden and donating all the food to Second Harvest Food Bank and the UGM Women and Children’s Shelter. He served dinners at an underserved public school, built a new kitchen at church, remodeled the church basement into a low-income daycare center, and was a long-time member (and President of) the Lions Club at 95 years young. He fundraised for clean water projects in Africa and volunteered as a firefighter and first responder into his 80’s. He addressed the homeless patrons he served as “sir,” and placed a comforting arm around their shoulders and thanked them for joining his table. He spread God’s love and compassion to everyone who was lucky enough to cross his path in this life.

The love of Wally’s life, Camilla, passed away last year and now has her soulmate by her side. She was lovingly cared for by Wally throughout her battle with Alzheimer’s, true to his exemplary character. Wally is survived by sons Andy (Norene,) and Matt (Phina,) and daughters Marie and Sarah (Dennis Beemer.) His cherished grandchildren include: Alexandria Phillipson Hendrickson (Brett,) Parker Phillipson, Kayla Kramer, Samantha Beemer and Cole Beemer. Last year the family welcomed great-granddaughter Sophie Jones Hendrickson. He is also survived by numerous loving nieces and nephews, and countless extended relatives.

The family will forever miss our remarkable Wally. He was a truly extraordinary man who lived a not-so ordinary life, filled with grace, compassion, and unwavering positivity.

The celebration of life honoring this great man will be held on January 5th, at 11:00 AM at Manito Golf and Country Club, to commemorate what would have been his 100th birthday.

As an homage to Wally’s devotion and generosity to those less fortunate, donations in his memory can be made to Lions Club or Union Gospel Mission.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BallandDodd.com for the Phillipson family.