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Dickie “Dick” Edward Walling, 76, of Silverton, Oregon, passed away from heart complications Feb. 24, 2026, in Salem, Oregon, with family by his side.
Born in August 1949, in Knox City, Texas, Dick later relocated to Powell, Wyoming. He was the firstborn son of Randell Walling and Jeraldine Boggs, the eldest of three boys and, eventually the older brother to four sisters.
At 17, Dick joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving his country with pride and honor during the Vietnam War. Following his four years of service, he returned to Wyoming, where he met and married the love of his life, Colleen.
Dick’s career was defined by hard work and a mastery of his trade. He spent years in the oil fields of the Big Horn Basin and Texas, as well as on offshore rigs along the Louisiana coast. He eventually settled into a lifelong career as a journeyman electrician. He was known for his skill in retrofitting pioneer-era homesteads in Wyoming’s South Fork of the Shoshone River area before transitioning to commercial projects throughout the Pacific Northwest.
An outdoorsman at heart, Dick was an avid fly fisherman who loved the art of tying flies and the exhilaration of trout fishing in Montana’s blue-ribbon streams. In his later years, he found great joy in riding his motorcycle. He was also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Colleen, of Silverton, Oregon; daughters Dawn Walling of St. Petersburg, Forida, and Rian Walling of Coldspring, Texas; son Randell (Sarah) Walling of Silverton, Oregon; grandchildren Gabrielle, Breanna and Parker; and sisters Kim (Lloyd) Asay, Freda (Jeff) Miller, and Randi Sue Walling.
Dick was preceded in death by his father, Randell; mother, Jeraldine; stepmother, Larna Jean; brothers Tony and Sammy; and sister Tammy.
A family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to either the American Heart Association or local programs that teach children the joy of fishing. Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel.
