Wallace Dale Russell passed away Oct. 18, 2011.

Wally, to all who knew and loved him, was born to Ward A. and Doris M. Russell in Seattle, Dec. 16, 1940.

He and older sister Janice agreed that growing up in Bellevue in the 1950s made their childhood one of the happiest anyone could hope for.

Wally graduated from Bellevue High School, a Wolverine through and through. He was active in sports and played on the football, basketball and baseball teams. Those who knew Wally won’t be surprised to note that Wally was also active on the debate team, as well as in high school drama productions. He held state office in DeMolay and was a representative at Boy’s State. He also founded Viceroys, a high school service club for boys.

When Wally graduated from high school, his father insisted that even though Wally planned to go to college, he get his barber license first — if only to have a trade to fall back on in tough times. Thus, Wally worked his way through the University of Washington cutting hair on Mercer Island and graduated a proud Husky in June, 1965.

Following college graduation, Wally went to work for Owens Corning as a salesman. Subsequently, he became branch manager and was named manager of the year.

Upon leaving Owens Corning, Wally started his own company, Paragon Industries (later Paragon Pacific), which manufactured custom insulation. After selling Paragon, he started a consulting business which reorganized and restructured failing businesses.

In his spare time, Wally was an avid golfer, hunter and fisherman, loved working with his Labrador retrievers, coached Little League baseball and football and was involved in PTA and other activities surrounding his children’s schooling. He was also active in the Overlake Presbyterian Church, civic activities in Bellevue, Salt Lake City, Utah and Lake Oswego, Ore.

He delighted in watching his son, Bill, play football and baseball for Interlake High School and became involved in 4-H when his daughter, Kim, began riding and working with horses. As his grandsons, Aaron and Eliot, grew, they followed in the family footsteps and were active in several sports. Wally loved watching them play baseball and golf and was proud that Aaron played baseball for the University of Washington.

Wally retired again, and while traveling to Texas to visit family friends, he met Linda, his future wife. Linda shared Wally’s love for the Northwest, and they moved to Holmes Harbor on Whidbey Island in 2000.

Being retired didn’t suit Wally, so he decided to go back to barbering and opened the Bayview Barber Shop where he happily cut hair and indulged his lifelong passion for meeting and getting to know people. The shop was a welcoming place, full of Falcon yearbooks, hunting trophies, a hot cup of coffee and conversation. Wally’s lab, Dusty, accompanied him to the shop everyday welcoming customers’ dogs with a gingersnap or two and a wagging tail.

Wally found a home away from home at the Freeland Eagles and was proud to serve as president there.

Wally had a big heart as all who knew him could attest, and he embraced Linda’s children and grandchildren as his own. “Papa Wally” became a beloved part of Linda’s family. He loved planning surprises for Linda’s grandchildren, teaching them how to play cribbage and poker and delighted in each card or picture they made for him. Wally loved life, and if a song could sum up his life it would have to be, “I Did It My Way.”

He lived life his way, and it was a wonderful life!

Wally’s memory will be celebrated by his children, William and Kim, his grandsons, Aaron and Eliot, wife, Linda and her family, numerous nieces and nephews, as well as other relatives and friends, both on and off Whidbey Island.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Nov. 4 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland. Following the funeral, a celebration of Wally’s life will be held at the Freeland Eagles Aerie 3418 at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to M-Bar-C Ranch, Eagles Aerie 3418, or the Falcon Scholarship Fund.