With great love and deep sorrow, we remember Wallace (Wally) Albert Olson who passed away on May 1, 2025. Wally was born on July 9, 1936 to Wanda and Wallace Theodore Olson, Esq, of Detroit. In 1937 Wally's father was tragically killed in a deer hunting accident near Gladstone Michigan, whereupon he grew up surrounded by women including his older sister Lois (Smith). Wally attended St. Paul's German Lutheran School and Cooley High School in Detroit.

Although Wally had an innate knack for mechanics and engineering and excelled as an athlete, his stepfather, Olie Olson, encouraged him to forgo college and learn a trade. Wally attended both Southfield and Henry Ford trade schools before landing a job at Westinghouse Escalators.

On one serendipitous trip with friends to Michigan State College he met his future wife and best friend, Sonia Jean Cocking. Wally joined the Air Force reserves before he had a chance to propose and was stationed in San Antonio Texas. Upon his return, Wally and Sonia married in Flint in 1960 and moved into their new home in Livonia.

Wally then started work with Otis Elevator as an installer in Detroit. In 1963 he fell five stories while inspecting an elevator shaft. Despite suffering multiple vertebrae fractures, Wally beat the odds and returned to work in nine weeks. He would fall a second time years later catching himself on the way down which gave him the impetus to leave the elevator business for good.

In 1968 Wally and Sonia along with their two children Eric and Elizabeth moved to their beloved home on Deepwater Point. He went to work for his father-in-law at Century Vending and eventually bought the business. He quickly became active in the community serving on the Acme Civic Association and was fire chief of the Volunteer Fire Department for many years. Wally and Sonia worked side by side until their retirement. They were inseparable for 63 years until Sonia's passing in 2023.

Wally loved the beach, boating and wave runners well into his 70's. He treasured winters with Sonia and his prized lemon tree at their Green Valley home. For many years the trip to Arizona was made along with their two cherished golden retrievers packed in the van.

Always one to keep his hands busy and his mind sharp he was an engineer at heart who could build or fix just about anything. His hobbies included making stained glass, jewelry

and mesquite furniture. One summer was spent building a 1922 replica Mercedes convertible.

Despite being a little boy who cried in bed because he didn't have a father he himself became a role model husband, father and grandfather. He will be remembered most for his commitment to family, jovial sense of humor and his gigantic hands.

Wally is survived by his children, Eric (Kim) Olson, and Elizabeth (Kevin) Young-DuFort, his grandchildren Spencer (Mary) Olson, Adam (Brooke) Olson, Rachel Young, Catherine Young and great-grandson Hayes Olson.

The family would like to thank the kind and attentive staff at French Manor Terra and Hospice of Michigan. Wally's life will be celebrated with immediate family at a private memorial service. Memorial donations can be made to the Cherryland Humane Society.