Obituary for Wallis Schatz

Wallis (Wally) Lee Schatz, one of America’s “Greatest Generation,” passed from his earthly life on Friday, October 4, 2013, surrounded by family. Wally was born June 11, 1923, in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, the son of George and Thursa Schatz.

He attended N.E. Center School District 67, a little country school outside of Tonkawa from the first through eighth grade. He made that 2 mile trip to school every day on his horse Molly. He went on to attend Tonkawa High School, where he lettered in football.

He joined the Marine Corps on May 23, 1944, and during his service was stationed on Saipan, Okinawa and China, before being honorably discharged on April 29, 1946. After the war he returned to Tonkawa where he farmed and also did custom harvesting. He retired on July 31, 2004 in Fort Benton, Montana, the last stop on his usual custom harvest run. He was 81 years young and had been custom harvesting for 56 years, 36 years of which were with his partner, Rod Cowell of Blackwell.

Wally and Wilma Schutte were married on January 16, 1947. Wally and Wilma enjoyed 66 years together, working together in farming and the custom harvest business. He also enjoyed fishing, playing cards with his grand kids and watching football, especially the Oklahoma Sooners and his Tonkawa Buckaneers, but secretly an OSU Cowboy fan.

In 2011, he was selected to take part in the Oklahoma Honor Flight, where he traveled to Washington D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial and was able to observe the changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetary Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. He had never been to Washington, D.C. before and was overwhelmed by the experience and attention the vets received. In 2012, the Tonkawa High School Alumni Association recognized Wally for his service in World War II and he was honored as Grand Marshall in their Homecoming Parade.

Wally was preceded in death by his parents George and Thursa Schatz and brother’s George “Bud” Schatz and DeOrval (Dee) Schatz.

Survivors include his wife, Wilma of the home, daughters Sandy James of Ponca City, Debbie Cowell of Oklahoma City; and son Gary Schatz of Sahvertia, Arizona. He is also survived by grandchildren, Brian James and Sean Blubaugh of Ponca City; and great-grand children Kendal, Kelsey and Karly James; sisters Leona May Thomas of Ponca City, Ann Martin of Ponca City, and brother Jim Schatz of Talala, OK; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at The First Christian Church in Ponca City on at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 2013, with the Rev. Jeff Hamilton of Oklahoma City officiating. Burial will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetary. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home in Ponca City.

In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 1904 N. Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601. Condolences may be sent to the family using an online guest book at troutfuneralhome.com.