Wallace "Wally" Young, 87, a nearly lifelong resident of Hailey, died June 30, 2009.
Wally was born Aug. 23, 1921, in Heglar, Idaho, the son of Bruce and Clara Young. He was raised in the Sawtooth Valley on the family homestead at Champion Creek. He attended school in Hailey, graduating from Hailey High School. He was extremely competitive and was a football, basketball and track star, but was always humble about his accomplishments. He won the Labor Day foot race every year until he was 75 years of age.
Wally served in the army during World War II, earned the rank of sergeant and received the European Theatre Ribbon, the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Ribbon, the Combat Badge, three Battle Stars, Presidential Citation With Two Clusters, the French Croix de Guerre Somrragere and the Silver Star, and fought alongside Audie Murphy. He married LaVona Dickeson on Sept. 21, 1947, at the family home on Broadford Road in Hailey. Wally was a rancher and cowboy all his life. He was the owner of The Mint bar in Hailey for more than 30 years. He was an avid horseback rider, hunter, fisherman, snowmobiler, golfer and bowler, and loved playing horseshoes and pool at The Mint with his customers and lifelong friends.
Gov. Cecil Andrus appointed him Wood River rural fire commissioner in 1972. On Aug. 8, 1993, Engine 50 was dedicated to Wally in honor of his dedication and hard work. He was appointed deputy sheriff and was instrumental in creating Blaine County Search and Rescue. He was active with the Hailey Rotary and Hailey Chamber of Commerce. He was dedicated to his community and family. Wally was grand marshal and received Founders' Recognition for the Wagon Days Parade in Ketchum and was grand marshal for the Fourth of July Parade twice. He served as president of the Days of the Ol West events in Hailey and resurrected the shoot-out, jamboree and barbecue with Roberta McKercher for the Fourth of July. Along with Ted Uhrig and others, he started the Sawtooth Rangers, built the rodeo grounds and organized and participated in the rodeo. He loved the camaraderie and competition among horsemen.
His parents, three brothers—Lawrence, Martin and Robert—and his sister Hazel all preceded him in death. Wally's family includes his wife, LaVona, of Twin Falls; his daughter, Tammy (Joe) Laragan; grandchild Chelsea (Mike) and great-grandchildren Tyson and Maria, all of Boise; his son Scott (Denise) Young, grandchildren Levi and Megan, all of Hailey; his sister Cora (Ray) Roessler of Gooding; two sisters-in-law, Alexis "Lex" (Martin) Young of Emmett, Idaho, and Fern (Robert) Young of Renton, Wash.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends will remember him for two quotes: "Your word is your bond" and "Your horse doesn't want to fall anymore than you do."
Services were held on Tuesday, July 7, at St. Charles Catholic Church, with Rev. Shawn Carty of Emmanuel Episcopal Church officiating. Interment followed in the Hailey Cemetery and a reception was held at the Blaine County Senior Center.
A memorial fund has been established with the Alzheimer Foundation, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or www.alzfdn.org. A guest book and images gallery are available at www.woodriverchapel.com.
