Wally earned a BS and MS in Nursing Administration and Education, preparing him for a life of service marked by discipline, compassion, and leadership.
In 1966, Wally entered Military Service during the Vietnam War and went on to complete 27 years of active duty, retiring in 1993 as a full Colonel. His military career reflected both breadth and dedication, including roles as hospital orderly, staff nurse, head nurse, hospital services supervisor, assistant chief nurse, chief nurse, acting hospital commander, nursing educator, nursing consultant, occupational/clinic health nurse, counselor, and educator. His faithful work was recognized through numerous honors, including the Legion of Merit; Meritorious Service Medal (3rd Oak cluster); Joint Service Commendation Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster); Meritorious Unit Commendation; National Defense Service Medal w/Service Star; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; and the Order of Military Medical Merit.
Wally shared 60 years of marriage with his beloved spouse, Carol Ann (Rice) Mika. He was the father of Paul Mika (spouse: April); with children, Amanda and Grace, Rosemary Mika (deceased), Suzanne Mika-Hanna (spouse: Gregory Hanna), and Timothy Mika (spouse: Jannette Whipple). He also cherished family by love: Robert & Claire Plummer, and their children, Thomas Plummer (spouse: Laura, children Sadie, Kennedy & John Michael), Caitlin (Plummer) Velasquez (spouse: Andrew, children Ezra & Callum), and Lucy (Plummer) Michaels (spouse: Sam, children Ella & Kevin). Father Rafael Flores also held a special place in Wally’s family circle.
A man of faith and quiet devotion, Wally found joy and purpose in singing in church, operas and music, and in the simple, steady practices that shaped his days: playing piano, needle crafts, gardening, praying, and enjoying classical music. His voice and presence carried into the communities he loved, including the Knights of Columbus, St Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church Choir, the Archdiocesan Choir, numerous Opera Groups through the years in the US and Germany, and the San Antonio Choral Society.
Wally’s legacy is carried forward as a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend to many. He will be remembered for his singing, warm smile, and the easy friendliness that made others feel welcome and seen, along with the strength and steadiness so many came to rely upon. His love for people was evident in the way he served, the way he listened, and the way he showed up. He also held a strong devotion to St. Joseph and Our Lady of Częstochowa, a faith that remained a guiding light throughout his life.
The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 3, 2026, at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, with a rosary to follow at 10:30 a.m., and a funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. A committal service will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Assumption Seminary https://www.assumptionseminary.org/donate, and The Polish Heritage Center of Panna Maria https://polishheritagecentertx.org/support
