Walter "Walt" Lee Dillman Obituary (1944 - 2021)

Walter Lee Dillman of Halfway, Oregon passed away at his home on March 10, 2021, at the age of 76 from complications of sepsis. Walt was born at Sunnyside Washington on September 22, 1944, to Walter and Luana Dillman. He was the oldest of four children, sister Nancy (Sammy) and brothers Lonnie and Dock Dillman. Walt and his family moved to Halfway Oregon in 1960 where he attended Pine Valley High School. In 1961, Ronda, (Walt's future bride) went with her friend Carol Ann to a rodeo in John Day for the weekend. Ronda and Walt were acquainted through high school but were not dating at the time. Saturday evening, at the rodeo dance Walt, Earl, and Walt's uncle Bill flipped a coin to see who would dance with Ronda. Walt lost the toss and at first, Walt didn't want to dance with Ronda, but by the end of the evening, they danced and danced. As the story goes, the rest is history. Through the years they were admired for their loving country two-step waltz. Walt and Ronda were married on February 27, 1965, in Halfway, Oregon where they remained, and raised their children Josi and Corey. Walt worked for Morrison Knutson during the dam construction at Hells Canyon early in his career. Following that, Walt was employed by the USFS as a surveyor from 1968-1986 before retiring and purchasing Halfway Garage and Towing. After retirement as a business owner, Walt worked summers as a contract driver for the USFS during fire season. Always involved with the community of Halfway, he was a volunteer firefighter for Pine Valley Rural Fire Dept. Walt and Ronda supported the Hells Canyon Jr. Rodeo and Baker County Fair through the years as well as numerous other community activities. Walt and his family and friends enjoyed packing into the wilderness areas to camp and hunt. Walt and Ronda were well known for numerous "hilarious" lip-sync presentations at Wild Bills in Halfway and were Uncle Walt and Aunt Ronda to many of the kids in Halfway. His wife, Ronda, passed away in 2013. Walt married Eileen Vollertsen on May 27th, 2017, the two shared horseback excursions and enjoyed outings with the children and grandchildren. Walt was preceded in death by his wife Ronda Ann Dillman, his parents Walt and Luana Dillman, nephew Jeff Dillman, grandparents, and various aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife Eileen Vollertsen, daughter and son-in-law, Josi and Larry Mack son and daughter-in-law, Corey and Cathy Dillman, brother and sisters-in-law Lonnie and Marie Dillman, and Dock and Cynthia Dillman, sister and brother-in-law Nancy (Sammy) and Kenny Marleene. Sister-in-law and brother-in-law Roger and Dawn Coles, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Doug and Beth Payton, his aunt and uncles, Cheryl and Earl Robinette, Rolland and Floyd Baze. Nine grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and numerous, nieces, nephews, and cousins. A double inurnment will be held for Walt and his beloved wife Ronda at the Pine Valley Cemetery in Halfway, Oregon on Saturday, May 29th at 11 AM. There will be a Celebration of Life for both following at the Pine Valley Fair Grounds in Halfway. People wishing to honor Walt's lifelong commitment to the community of Halfway may do so through donations to the Pine Valley Fire Department, Pine Valley Fair Association, or Pine Valley Ambulance. This may be done through Coles Tribute Center, 1950 Place Street, Baker City, OR 97814.