Wally Heard, 1930-2020
ESCALON, CALIF. – Wallace D. “Wally” Heard was born in Los Angeles, California. He passed away on December 1, 2020, at 90 years of age following a stroke and, ultimately, COVID-19.
Wally served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict, from 1950 to 1954, stationed in Las Vegas, Nevada. He married Pauline (Polly) Blixt and they were married for 68 years.
Upon his discharge from the Air Force, Wally and Polly moved back to Escalon where he worked at what was then California Blowpipe, now Hogan Manufacturing, for 24 years. Entering upon a new career, he worked at the Hetch Hetchy Water and Power Department for the City of San Francisco at Moccasin until his retirement in 1992.
Wally was a member of the CCA (California Cowboys Assn.), the CCPRA and ACTRA, competing in tie-down roping and team roping. Upon reaching 50 years of age he joined the NSPRA (National Senior Pro Rodeo Assn.), and he and Polly spent their vacations and then retirement competing in most of the Western states. In 2002 Wally won the tie-down roping of the 68+ year-old age bracket at the NSPRA Finals Rodeo in Reno, Nevada. He was then 72 years old. Tie-down roping was his life.
When Wally found something he wanted, he stuck with it. He was married for 68 years, lived at the same place for 61 years, still had his 1998 Ford pickup, and cherished the memories of his many long-time friends in the roping and rodeo circles.
He leaves surviving him his wife, Polly; his children Julie (Ken) Hasley, Neal (Ruth) Heard, Arlene (Richard) Park, and Clay (Lorrie) Heard. His 9 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren will have memories of Grandpa Wally’s spooky 100-year-old barn.
Burial was at Burwood Cemetery in Escalon.