La Grande, Oregon
Lawrence “Larry” Waliser, 84, of La Grande, died Aug. 26 at Grande Ronde Hospital of lung cancer.
A private family service will be held with burial following at Summerville Cemetery. Daniels Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements.
Larry was born in January 1923 to George and Mary Waliser in Sykeston, N.D. His family settled in Milton-Freewater in 1934. At 17, Larry joined the Civilian Conservation Corps Camp at Heppner. In 1943, he joined the Navy and served aboard the USS White Plains aircraft carrier, serving in the South Pacific in five invasions including the Battle of Leyth Gulf, Philippines. He owned a cab company in Milton-Freewater after his honorable discharge in 1946.
He married Barbara Knight in 1952. They moved to La Grande and were employed by Barbara’s father at Knight Tire Service. The couple purchased the company and changed the name to Larry’s Tire Service. He retired in 1992.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara, of La Grande; daughters, Sandra Brown of La Grande, Sheila Shark of Nampa, Idaho, Georgia Van Arsdale of Island City and Michelle Waliser of La Grande; brother, Jim Walise of Milton-Freewater; sister, June Lehman of Colorado; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by six brothers.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Oregon Cancer Society or any other charity in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1503 Seventh St., La Grande 97850.
La Grande Observer – Obituaries For The Week Ending September 1, 2007 Published: September 1, 2007