Obituary: Hodges, Wallace Thornton
Age 86
Wally was born in Oakesdale, WA on July 16, 1929 to Thornton and Hattie (Hall) Hodges.
He graduated from Oakesdale High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army, stationed in Richland, WA.
On May 10, 1952 he married his high school sweetheart, Avy (Jones) Hodges and after his discharge from the service they returned to Oakesdale to farm and raise their family.
Wally and Avy were by each other’s side for 52 years until Avy passed away in 2004.
In their later years Wally and Avy spent their winters in Desert Hot Springs, CA.
After Avy’s passing, Wally continued to travel south and in 2007 met his companion, Gina Sinutko who remained by his side until the end.
Wally led by example, instilling in his children and grandchildren the value of hard work and the importance of family.
The two most important things in Wally’s life were his family and his love of the land that he worked so hard to preserve.
Even after his retirement he was always around the farm with a word of encouragement and a willingness to share the wisdom and experience obtained from a lifetime of learning.
You could rely on him to be ready with a joke and mischievous grin when you were down or a prank just to make you smile.
Wally will truly be missed by his family and all who knew him.
Wally is survived by his sons Tim (Crystal) Hodges of Woodland, Tom (Shiree) Hodges of Oakesdale, and daughter Candi Fisher of Steptoe; grandchildren Tammy Hodges, Bill (Mary) Hodges, Shawna (John) Jeffries, Lindsey (Tony) Wesche, Blake Fisher and Colby Fisher; great-grandchildren Weston Hodges, Houston Jeffries and William Jeffries.
A graveside service will be held in the Oakesdale Cemetery on Saturday, November 28th at 11:00 a.m. with a dinner following at the Oakesdale Fire Station.
A longtime member of the Masonic Lodge and El Katif Shrine Club, donations in his memory can be made to the El Katif Shriner’s Eastern Washington Transportation Fund, 7217 W. Westbow Blvd., Spokane, WA 99224.
SCHANZENBACH FUNERAL HOME, ROSALIA in charge of arrangements.