Wathene (Wally) Holtry Binford
April 27, 1930-August 3, 2021
Wathene (Wally), 91 of Nampa, Idaho, completed her earthly journey and is now home with her heavenly father.
Mom was born on April 27, 1930, in Palouse, Washington to Rev. George and Irene Fitch. She lived in Palouse for two years before the family moved to South CleElum, Washington, where she graduated from CleElum High School. She married Doug Alexander, and within a few years, five children made their family complete. They were divorced and some years later, she met someone else. Her friendly mailman, Gilbert Holtry. They married and combined their two families. Gilbert’s four boys and Wally’s three girls and two boys. After nine years of marriage, they were blessed with another son, Gary Ray Holtry. Many adjustments were made with our combined families, and with God’s guidance, the family became one.
Mom worked in the school hot lunch program for eight years. During the summers, she served as cook-aid at Victory Cove Camp and later as head cook. She also worked as a Social Service Assistant where she was a bus driver, teacher and cook for sixteen years for the Head Start Program for four-year-olds.
Mom had a great love and dedication to God since the age of 12. She and Gilbert were members of the Franklin Road Church—now Karcher Church of the Nazarene. She served her church as a greeter, a Sunday School teacher for college classes, a wedding coordinator, and a funeral coordinator. Our home was always open for meetings, housing special speakers, and feeding college students on Sundays. One of her greatest roles in Service to her Lord was working with the senior adults. Her one-on-one visits with them was full of joy and fulfillment for her. Gilbert passed away on August 21, 2006.
As a senior herself now, Mom enjoyed volunteering at the Nampa Senior Center. During that time, she became acquainted with a gentleman, Cecil Binford. They spent two years getting to know each other, as well as going on travel tours with the center. They married and continued to stay busy being involved with the college church senior adult choir (Grace Notes) and volunteer work at the senior center. Cecil passed away on September 26, 2018.
Wally will be missed by those who were blessed to know her. When you met her or as you talked with her and watched her work for her Lord, you would understand love in the way God commands us to love one another.
Wally is survived by her children, Dixie Newton (Jr.), Sheryl Wahl (Mel), Diane Purdy (Steve), Byron Holtry (Kris), Philip Holtry (Bonnie), Beryl Holtry (Patty). Her brothers, Philip Fitch (Mary Helen), Bob Fitch (Dixie), George Fitch, and as well as many grandchildren.
Mom was proceeded in death by her parents, Rev. George and Irene Fitch, brother, Jim Fitch, husbands, Gilbert R. Holtry and Cecil Binford, and sons, Deo, Danny, Greg, and Gary Ray.
There will be a private burial with family only. Memorial contributions may be made to the Faith Promise Program at College Church.
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