Wally S. Elsbury Jr. passed away Sept. 18 on the Archie Creek Fire near Roseburg. He had been wildland fire fighting the last several years using his logging equipment and his skidgine.

Wally was born July 13, 1953, to Walter Samuel and Regina Ann Waldmann Elsbury in Burns. He was the seventh of nine children and the first son.

He grew up in Hines and attended Hines Elementary and Burns Union High School, graduating in 1971.

He married Kathy Purdy in 1983, and they had three children, Angela, Mike, and Shaun.

Wally was a logger all his adult life and was awarded Logger of the Year from the Malheur National Forest in 1993. He did some thinning on the family private land and had plans to do more habitat upgrades.

He loved to hunt deer and elk and looked forward to opening day each year, but also had a soft spot for all creatures.

Wally was one of those people who always had time to visit or help you in any way. He appreciated history and enjoyed looking for treasures of all kinds.

Wally is survived by his wife of 37 years, Kathy; daughter, Angela (Travis) Courtney, and their two children, Peyton and Lauren; sons, Mike (Meaghan), and Shaun; siblings, Barbara (Chuck) White, Carol (Chuck) Lynde, Sharyn (Darrell) Williams, Doreen (Bud) Hubbard, Lorraine (Ken) Palmer, John Elsbury, and Monica Elsbury; mother-in-law, Mary Purdy; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Regina; sister, Shirley; and nephew, Scott.

A gathering will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the Valley Golf Club in Hines. If you have a good story about Wally, the family would like for you to share it.

Contributions in Wally’s memory may be made to Harney County Save A Stray, Harney County Historical Society, or to a charity of your choice that supports victims of wildfires.