Hardy William Wallen

HARDY WILLIAM WALLEN passed away on Sunday, 15 February 2015. He was 93 years old. He was a resident of Humboldt County for more than 68 years. Born in Stockton, MO on 14 January 1922 to Ida B. Wallen (nee Firestone) and Eddie M. Wallen, Hardy grew up quickly as many did in those Great Depression days. In addition to the normal chores of a farm boy, he supplemented the family's food stocks by hunting and fishing. In 1942, Hardy enlisted in the US Navy. He completed boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Station near Chicago, IL and Aviation Machinist training at Norfolk Naval Yard, Norfolk, VA. He was stationed at Naval Air Station San Juan, Puerto Rico where he rebuilt and tested airplane engines. While in San Diego, CA for jet engine training the war ended and he mustered out of the Navy in 1946. Since Hardy didn't want to go back to farming, he stayed in California and took a job as General Manager of K & K Lumber Mill in Humboldt County in the very small town of Thorn (now called Whitethorn), CA. Around 1952, the call to return to farming finally needed to be answered. He resigned from the mill and moved to a small town half way between Fresno and Bakersfield to give farming and ranching another try. He didn't do too well and lost just about everything. However, he did meet, court, and marry his wife Theda Mae. In 1954, with $250 dollars and the promise of a job, Hardy and Theda returned to Garberville where he worked at the Garberville Gas Company. Later he accepted a position with the US Post Office where he served 26 years before retiring in 1982. Hardy and Theda also ran the Montgomery Ward catalog store in Garberville until 1985 until Montgomery Ward reorganized and closed the catalog stores. In 1997, Hardy and Theda moved to Eureka into the Alder Bay Assisted Living facility where he and Theda were active members of the Alder Bay community. Theda passed away in 2000. Hardy found love again and at age 79 remarried. Marcella and Hardy lived happily at Alder Bay until her passing in 2009. A special thanks goes out the the staff of Alder Bay. Hardy was active in the Masonic Lodge, Order of the Eastern Star, and Shriners International. He served as Master of Redwood Empire Lodge #683 in 1976. In 1979, Hardy was awarded the Hiran Award for long-term, unselfish devotion to advancing the principles of Free Masonry. He also served as a member the Grand Lodge of California's Widow committee as well as providing liaison to the Shriners Hospitals for Children that provided no-cost medical treatment to children under age 18. He was also a member of the Southern Humboldt Chapter, Veterans of Foreign Wars #6354 where he seved as Commander in 1971. Later when his life and adventures had taken a toll on his lower body, Hardy remained cheerful, positive, and humorous. He always was a great storyteller. A true character, he enjoyed swapping tales with just about everyone. He was humbled to be a part of the first Honor Flight from Humboldt County for WWII veterans to visit the WWII memorial in Washington, DC. Hardy is preceded by Theda in 2000 and Marcella in 2009. He is survived by his daughter Towanda L. Wallen of Eureka, CA and his son Thomas E. (Claudie J.) of Sanford, NC, granddaughters Clarissa J. Wallen of Marietta, GA and Caitlin A. Wallen of Wilmington, NC. A memorial service will be held at Gobles Mortuary, 560 12th Street, Fortuna, CA 95540 on Sunday, 22 February 2015 at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 North Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 or at https://www.shrinershosptalsforchildren.org.

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