Wallace "Wally" Eugene Collier

Wallace "Wally" Eugene Collier age 81, of Minnehaha County, Garretson, SD passed away peacefully at his home on July 27, 2021 after fighting many different illnesses.

Wally has requested no services.

Private Burial will be at Highland Cemetery Deuel County, Brandt, S.D.

Condolences - cards or notes (no plants or flowers please) may be sent to Colleen Collier at PO Box 239 Garretson, SD  57030.

Wallace Eugene Collier was born in Deuel County, SD June 22, 1940, to Lucille A Collier. He grew up in Clear Lake, SD and graduated from Brandt (Bulldogs) High School. He met his first wife Vivian Viola Wherley, and they were married June 27, 1961, Lincoln County, MN. until her death December 30, 1973. He married his second wife Jeannette Elaine Jorgensen July 5, 1974, Ventura County, Ventura, CA. until her death August 25, 2010.

Wally and his brother Larry where well known for selling popcorn from the family popcorn stands during celebrations and festivities in and around the Clear Lake SD area during their young years.

After his first marriage and two children were born and the youngest was two he moved his family to Ventura CA to start his own Janitorial business. He also worked in the laundry dept. at Community Memorial Hosp.. Many years later after leaving the hosp. and closing his janitorial business he began working for the Ventura Unified School District as a Custodian in the many schools throughout the district until later working in the district office before retiring.

Wally was well known as an Abraham Lincoln look alike starting in the early 1990’s because of a birthday wish of his daughters asking him to dress up like Abe. He was then asked to dress up and visit the many schools and classrooms during their Presidents learning curricula. His message was not the Gettysburg Address but to behave and listen to your parents, stay in school, do not do drugs, and to be the best that you could be to each other. He was so popular that he was invited to the Ronald Reagan Library to be a welcoming greeter at the entrance, walk around and shake hands and take pictures with the guests, and give his message to all the children he met. He was also in many parades including the Jesse James Day parade right here in Garretson, SD when visiting from CA before moving here in 2012.

Wally then became very well known here in Garretson, SD during his walks to the post office to get the daily mail; he was excited on Thursdays because that was newspaper day, and he could read the “Ask the Motor Medics” column.  He made many friends on his daily walks and it didn’t matter if you were a local or a visitor he gave everyone a friendly wave, big smile, or a handshake, and if you stopped to talk with him you might have gotten a little life advice talk depending on the situation. He also enjoyed many of the local businesses and the employees at the Post Office, Bank, Treasure Chest, Grocery store, Don’s Auto, and City Hall (the window taps). Handing out $1. Bills to the kids that would talk with him.

Some of the other things he enjoyed in his life were Pepsi, Twin Bings, KitKats, Twix, watching the birds, squirrels, bunnies feed in the yard, eating fresh tomatoes out of the garden and just sitting outside soaking up the sun and waving to each person passing by.

His bucket list was buying a camper, camping in all 50 states, putting his toes in the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and the 5 great lakes. In 2013 he bought his camper. With the help of his daughter (driver) he was able to camp or visit 38 states, put his toes in the water at all but the Gulf of Mexico.

If he would have anything to say before ending his journey here on earth it would go something like this: Always leave everyone feeling better than they were before meeting you.

Survivors include his daughter Colleen (Karen) Collier, Garretson; son David Collier, Oxnard, CA.; family pet Sneeckers, his little buddy Corbin; siblings Larry (Donna) Collier, Clear Lake, SD; Marvin (JoAnn) Ovall, Astoria, SD; many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, first wife Vivian, second wife Jeannette, his dog Archie, fathers-in-law, mothers-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and many other family members.