He grew up on a 350+ acre farm in Adair County, KY where he helped the family in planting and harvesting tobacco, corn, and hay. He also helped run the farm's dairy. This is where he learned his hard work ethic. Wally graduated from Adair County High School and went on to serve in the U.S. Army from 1966-1968 in Chu Lai, Vietnam where he was a Sergeant E-5 in the 132nd Assault Support Helicopter Company. Wally was employed by American Roller Company for over 37 years where he worked up the ladder and earned many titles including Lab Supervisor, Product Manager, and Converting Products Technical Manager. He enjoyed his work and was awarded a U.S. Patent for a Pelletizer Feed Roller used in the plastic industry. Wally also was instrumental in the development of a roller configuration used for the M&M Mars Company and also the pharmaceutical industry. In 1983 while working at American Roller Company he met the love of his life, Donna Hansen, and they spent 33 years together. They enjoyed traveling and visiting with their children and their families. Wally loved watching all sports and was an enthusiastic fan of the Green Bay Packers. He had a passion for working in the yard and gardening. Wally enjoyed cooking and canning different jams and jellies and was famous for his salsa. Over the years he enjoyed playing golf, pool, and cards. Wally was a member of the North Cape Lutheran Church in Franksville, WI and post 7924 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He is survived by his wife, Donna (Hansen) Polston and his children Angela Johnson, Tracy (Shawn) Wurzer, stepchildren, Karen (Bob) Benson, Amy (Tom) Mlot, and Thomas (Katie) Hansen. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Rachelle, Gabrielle, and Benjamin Johnson, Kayleigh (Martin) McGee, Connor and Carter Benson, Jacob, Madelyn, and Olivia Hansen, Liam and Rowan Mlot. Also surviving are two sisters, Della Rae Montgomery and Carol (Eugene) Cowan, and one brother, Willard (Faye) Polston. He is further survived by his mother-in-law, Elaine Hansen, sister-in-law, Diane (Ron) Welch, brother-in-law, Peter (Nancy) Hansen, sister-in-law, Peggy (Chuck) Svoboda, brother-in-law, Dan (Peggy) Hansen, and many other nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, William, Kirby, Keith, Kenneth and Joe Preston, three sisters Anna Yarberry, Arlene Miller and Phyllis Fudge.
The family would like to give a special thank you to the Clement Zablocki VA Medical Center and the staff on the Palliative Care Unit including Dianna, Patty, and Mary Beth in OT.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 30th, 2016 at NORTH CAPE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2644 124th St (Hwy 45 & W. Five Mile Rd), from 10am until the time of memorial service at Noon. The Rev. Bradley Brown officiating. Private interment at Southern Wisconsin Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to North Cape Lutheran Church appreciated.
Heritage Funeral Homes in Oak Creek, WI in charge of funeral arrangements
This obituary information is a courtesy to the family by Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home in Columbia, KY in Columbia, KY