Walter "Wally" Arnold Colbert

Shingleton

Walter “Wally” Arnold Colbert, age 61, of Shingleton and formerly of Garden City, Michigan, died unexpectedly, Tuesday, July 11, 2017.  He was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan on June 27, 1956 to Robert and Ruby (Philpot) Colbert.  Wally graduated from Garden City West High School in 1974, and then began his career with the airlines.  Wally stared as a cargo coordinator for Pan Am and then British Airways.  He became a station manager for Delta Airlines, and worked in many places: Detroit Metro, Pellston Regional, Harbor Springs, and a Sioux Gateway in Sioux City, Iowa, where he retired from in 2014 after forty years with the airlines.  Wally developed a passion for following the weather, and even helped some local TV stations as a weather spotter.  He also was involved in the communities he lived in, and served as a member of the Planning Commission in Boyne Falls.  In 2014, Wally moved to the U.P. to be near family and to spend time in the great outdoors.  He was a master gardener, and his organic garden was often the talk of the neighborhood.  If it grew, Wally knew about it and could grow it without using chemicals and pesticides, so he would not harm the nature around it.  Nature was a concern for Wally, so he did what he could to help protect and preserve it, and recycled everything.  He also loved animals, especially his cat Cali, and the chickens he raised.  Friends would call him the “chicken whisper” or “chicken tender”.

Wally was a people-person, and was always ready for a hug.  He never met a stranger and could talk with anyone.  Helping people brought him great joy.  Even on his final day, he spent it helping friends at their new store.  Wally loved spending time with his family, and was a bit of an instigator.  Between teasing his brother and sisters and telling stories, Wally could always put a smile on their faces.

He is survived by his mother – Ruby Colbert of Muskegon; brother Robert (Kathy) Colbert of Traverse City; sisters – Karla (Rich) Weaver of Shingleton, and Karol Jacobs of Muskegon; nieces and nephews - Robert (Myla) Colbert, Helen (Lance) Washburn, Amy Jacobs, David (Paul) Jacobs, Heather Weaver, Brianna Weaver, Raymond Peters, and Joseph (Jennifer) Peters; great nieces and nephews – Anthony, Ariel, Reece, Jordan, Jalynn, Harlee, Jenna, and Jessica.  Wally was preceded in death by his father Robert Colbert.

No public services will be held at this time.  Memorials in Wally’s name may be made to the Alger County Animal Shelter.