WALTER (WALLY) A. BIRDSELL

On June 4, 2003, Walter A. Birdsell lost his battle with emphysema and died at home surrounded by family.

Mr. Birdsell was born on Sept. 9, 1941, in Beardstown, Ill. After having six sons and four daughters, his mother was at a loss for a name and named him after the doctor who delivered him at the family farm.

Mr. Birdsell left Illinois at age 13, with the hope of a better life, and headed north to Alaska in 1954 to live with his older brother Russ. He spent his life building many of Alaska's major roads and highways as a heavy equipment operator and was a proud 40-year member of the Operating Engineers, Local 302.

His family said, "Wally was committed to the Alcoholics Anonymous Program and to the community that he became a part of at AA gatherings all over the West. He will be profoundly missed by all of us whose lives are better from knowing him."

He is survived by his life partner of 39 years Sharon Birdsell of Seattle; son Darell Smith of Alaska; daughters and sons-in-law Lori and Jason Hahm of Minnesota, Tanya and King Brown of Wyoming; son and daughter-in-law Tab and Elizabeth Birdsell of Seattle; grandchildren Caitlin, Keisha, Noah and Jordyn; eight brothers and sisters; and many nieces, nephews and all the folks still living "one day at a time."

Arrangements were made by Powers Funeral Home in Puyallup, Wash.