Andrew Wallace “Wally” Black, 91, of Sheridan, Wyoming, passed away Thursday, June 21, 2018 at Sheridan Memorial Hospital.  He was born May 9, 1927 in Lead, South Dakota to David and Louise (McKean) Black.  Wally graduated from Crawford, Nebraska High School in 1945.

He entered the Merchant Marines in 1945 until 1948 and completed basic training at Catalina Island.  Later, Wally went to New York City for radio school- this closed because the war ended in Europe.  He served on 2 hospital ships, Aledo E. Lutz and Stevens Victory through the Panama Canal to Hawaii, Germany and Italy as a storekeeper. After getting out of the Merchant Marines, he bought a grocery store in Rapid City, South Dakota for two years.  In 1950, Wally joined the Air Force and served until 1954 in Japan and Korea.

He married Delores Heinzen in Hot Springs, South Dakota in 1954 and divorced in 1968.  Wally started selling cookies for Keebler Cracker Co. in 1954 in Hot Springs and retired in Sheridan, Wyoming in 1987 after 34 years with Keebler.

In 1972, Wally married Evelyn Sellery in Sheridan.  He did volunteer work delivering Meals on Wheels, Lunch Together, and Men’s Breakfast.  Wally also, helped in Kaycee and Wright after flooding and a tornado hit the area. He enjoyed fishing, camping, golf, traveling in the 5th wheel trailer to Arizona, California and Canada, became a square dance caller from 1956 to 1972, and continued square and round dancing for many years.  He also loved working in his yard, gardening, and making jewelry from sterling silver and beads.  His “Best” Friend ever was Lily, their dog.

Wally was such a caring, sweet man and a loving husband and father.  He never complained and was always thinking of others than himself.  Everyone loved him.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Evelyn; his children, Cathy (Black) and husband, Rick Knuckles, David Black, Lindsay (Sellery) and husband, Jack Cantley, Craig (Gena) Sellery, and Dudley (Monica) Sellery; grandchildren, Jamie (Dvorak) Smith, Eric Dvorak, Brianne (McChesney) Lanzi, Jessica (Cantley) Ferster, Phillip Sellery, and Nicole (Moody) Berganstine; 9 great grandchildren; and nephew, Dan Baas and niece, Diana (Baas) Stamper who custom made Wally’s urn.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 29, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 135 Crescent Dr., in Sheridan, with Pastor Phil Wold officiating.  Luncheon to immediately follow in the church fellowship hall.  A private graveside service will be held in the Elks Cemetery with military honors.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church and The Hub, Meals on Wheels, 211 Smith St., Sheridan, WY  82801.

Online condolences may be written at www.championfh.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Champion Funeral Home.

Sheridan & Johnson County Obituaries