Hebel, Wally's Obituary
If you knew him, you loved him. All of his dad jokes and his many one liners. He was a dedicated husband to Joyce for 62 years. They genuinely loved each other and still held hands out in public. Dad was from Chicago (go Bears!) and mom is from New York. They met here in Florida when they were in their teens and secretly got married in Georgia. Then when they were of age they had a wedding with their families in Florida.
We were blessed to have such a wonderful loving father who was always there for everything. The Hebel's, party of five did so much together growing up. We continued to do things as a family even as we got older and were married. Our husbands loved dad too and got along very well.
He was one of the hardest working people I have ever known. He worked as a crane operator for many years and retired. He went back to work part time shortly after because he didn't like being idle. Only stopped working back in November because he was laid off.
If you hung out at our house when we were younger, he treated you as if you were family. He volunteered as a girl scout leader, first man to do so. Those girls loved him and his silly, dry humor. He was easy to get along with and made many friends from all walks of life.
Dad loved trains and volunteered at Largo Central Park giving people rides on his own train. He was a die hard poker player and played as often as he could at the dog track on Gandy. He has an enormous movie collection, that he watched over and over. He had the M.A.S.H. tv series (from his good friend Michele McKenna) that he also loved to watch.
I could go on because there was so much more to him. Wally E. Hebel, the love of my mom's life, our dad, Uncle Wally, grandpa and Navy Veteran went home to be with God earlier today. He was surrounded by his family as he left this world. We ask that you continue to pray for our mom as she navigates her life without her husband
What’s your fondest memory of Wally?
What’s a lesson you learned from Wally?
Share a story where Wally's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Wally you’ll never forget.
How did Wally make you smile?