The Humboldt Sun - September 1, 2008

MR. WILLIAM D. WALKAMA

William (Bill) David Walkama, beloved Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather, passed away from complications of diabetes. He was born in Superior, Wyo., to Flora and William Walkama. Bill graduated from Pershing County high school, Lovelock, in 1948. He served in the United States Marine Corps for 2+ years, which took him to Seattle, Wash. There he started his career with Boeing in 1948.

Bill was active in the Machinists Union for over 60 years, serving as Organizer, District President and District Secretary Treasurer, with the goal of improving the quality of life for others.

He is survived by wife Phyllis, mother Flora and Stepdad Bobby Wigaard, four children (William, Carolyn, Cheryl, Daniel), brother Gene Walkama, four stepchildren, 14 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his father William and step daughter Carla.

MRS. MARY S. WALKER

Mary Sue (Mason) Walker was born March 8, 1936, in Atmore, Ala. She was the only girl of four children born to Mary Kate House and William Mason. She met Bill Walker while working at a local hospital and they were married June 7, 1954. Bill's work took them to many places in several states, finally settling in Lovelock in 1959. Over the years they owned various businesses, including the Covered Wagon and Desert Haven motels. Bill and Sue built three homes in Lovelock and supported many local endeavors. Sue was an avid gardener and excellent cook. She loved animals and would feed and care for any that came her way. Sue encouraged children to be who-ever they wanted to be, to work hard, and to be successful and happy. In her late 60s she learned the computer so she could communicate with her son and keep the pictures of the grandchildren coming!

Sue will be forever loved and missed by her husband, Bill; daughter Debbie and her partner, Mary, of Lovelock; and her son, John, his wife Michelle, and her grandsons, Matthew and Eric, of Carson City.

The family wishes to thank the staff of XL Hospice of Fallon for their tremendous support during Mom's last days. Special thanks go to Gloria Rodriguez, of Lovelock, for her loving care and prayers. We also express our appreciation to Gary Cowger and the staff of Lovelock Funeral Home for their patience and understanding.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Sue's name to the SPCA or the Humane Society to help care for the animals she loved so much. Services will be held on Saturday, Aug. 8, at 11 a.m. at the Lovelock Funeral Home, with burial to follow at Lone Mountain Cemetery.

MR. DAVE WOODSON

Dave Woodson passed away on Dec. 7 at the Pershing County Hospital with his beloved wife, Terri, at his side. He was 60 years old. For the past year, he had bravely battled the neuromuscular disease that eventually took his life.

After graduating from Vestal High School in New York state, Woodson won a job with the Binghamton Sun-Bulletin, beginning a life-long career in the field he enjoyed the most — journalism. Woodson would leave journalism for a brief time to serve his country in the Vietnam War. A graduate of the Officer Candidate School, Dave was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1971. He earned a Bronze Star (with a V), a Joint Service Commendation Medal and many other decorations while in Vietnam.

After his military service, Woodson received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Oregon in 1975. The pride of being and following the Oregon Ducks remained with him all his life. After graduation, Woodson moved to Anchorage, Alaska, to re-start his career in journalism. For 10 years there, he worked in print, radio and television journalism, winning six Alaska Press Club awards for public service and investigative reporting. During this time, he also served as the sports editor for the Anchorage Daily News.

Seeking a brief change of pace, Woodson took a job as executive director for the Republican Party of Alaska, before moving to Astoria, Ore., in 1987 with his new wife, Terri Quin, whom he had met in Anchorage. The call of journalism lured Woodson to KVAS radio in Astoria, where he served as news director and sports announcer. The couple moved to Elko in 1994, where Woodson went to work as the crime reporter for the Elko Daily Free Press. Woodson would later go on to win 21 Nevada Press Association awards in 13 years while working for the Free Press, Humboldt Sun, Battle Mountain Bugle and lastly, the Lovelock Review-Miner.

Woodson particularly enjoyed his years with the Review-Miner covering high school sports and would often hold in check those who took it too seriously with a reminder that “It’s just high school sports; it’s the kids that matter.”

Woodson is survived by his wife, Terri; sister Maribeth Botts; and nephew Brandon Botts.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Marion Woodson. He is also survived by countless hundreds of others in the worlds of journalism and politics who had the good fortune to know his great humor and his lesson that somewhere out there is a little guy whose voice needs empowerment and who is just as important as anyone else. A lesson he taught by doing, numerous times.

At Woodson’s request, there will be no memorial service and arrangements are pending for a burial.

A celebration of his life and times are being planned.

Stories and condolences can be sent to Terri Quin at quinlov@aol.com. In lieu of flowers, Woodson had requested that donations be made to the ALS Foundation of Nevada, 6370 W Flamingo #3, Las Vegas, NV 89103.

MRS. TERESA WOODSON

Teresa (Terri) Quinn, 59, of Lovelock died at her home Wednesday, March 26, 2008. Terri had worked for the Lovelock Review-Miner and Western Title Company for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband David Woodson on Dec. 7, 2007. There are no known survivors.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 4. 2008, at the Lovelock Funeral Home Chapel. Cremation was held at Smith Family Crematory in Fallen.