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- The Davis County Clipper (Bountiful, UT)
June 24, 2008
Wallace "Wally" Earl Luderman passed away peacefully in his workshop while taking a nap during his break from tinkering on June 19, 2008. He was born in Hamilton, Montana on December 19, 1920, to Fred Edward and May Talbot Luderman.
In 1937, the Luderman family moved to Greybull, Wyoming. After graduating from high school and finding there were no jobs available, he joined the Army Air Corp for $20.75 a month including housing, food and uniform. At age 20, he was departing Pearl Harbor heading to the Philippines when it was bombed. He was then redirected to Fiji when the US entered the War, and served in New Guinea, Java and Australia. He flew combat missions as an engineer on the B17's, B24's, and LB-30's as well as being on the ground in charge of changing out engines. At the end of WWII he was presented with an EAME ribbon with three bronze stars, Good Conduct Medal, two Overseas Service Bars, and the Distinguished Unit Badge with three bronze clusters (four unit citations) with the Fouraggere braid. This was the first group to receive this citation since WWI. On his 21st birthday, he floated under the Golden Gate Bridge on his return to the US.
Having been stationed in Utah at the Salt Lake Airbase, he returned to Utah to the girl of his dreams who had waited for him for 13 months. Their romance had been kindled while dancing at the Coconut Grove and Rainbow Rendezvous. He married Eloise Goodfellow on January 3, 1943, in Lovell, Wyoming. As Wally was to be stationed in Texas at Bergstrom Airbase, the couple settled there and were blessed with their first daughter Karen. After WWII ended, they moved from Texas to Greybull, Wyoming where daughter Patti was born, and ranched and farmed until 1953. That year, they moved with their two daughters to Bountiful, Utah and spent many hours in their orchard and garden. Wally retired from Phillips Petroleum Company after 29 years.
Wally and Eloise enjoyed many years of traveling with friends in their trailers trekking across the US and Mexico. They loved taking their granddaughters with them on trips of discovery and developed within the girls the love of the outdoors, rock hounding, and digging in dirt. Fishing was a favorite pastime. Wally also enjoyed having early morning coffee with his friends at the Centerville McDonalds.
Wally was a hero in the truest sense of the word, not only for his country during war time, but as a father. He always worked hard, set the example for honesty, integrity, commitment and follow-through. "If you can't do a job right, then don't commit to do it." He was a loving husband and father who will be missed for his funny stories, strong hands, great hugs, and wise words of direction.
Survived by the love of his life, Eloise; daughters Karen (Barney) Bettilyon and Patti Lisonbee; granddaughters Andrea Vogt (Casey) Kay and Megan Bettilyon, step-grandson Sandy (Tracy) Bettilyon; and great grandchildren Kateylyn Vogt, Masey Kay, and Caitlyn and Zachary Bettilyon; sisters Louise Stadtfeld, Dorothy Busche, and Wilma Cain; sister-in-law Ann Luderman. Pre-deceased by his parents and brother Glen.
Interment -Bountiful City Cemetery.
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1920 - 2008 (87 years)
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