Walter Carl Johnson Boggess took his “Seventh Inning Stretch” to the Extra Innings of eternity and called “Safe At Home” on August 18, 2024. Wally was born to Leota Trimmer and Orson Alma Johnson on August 3, 1940. His mother passed away just 11 days after his birth and his father 18 months later. He was adopted by his sister Nina Johnson and Everett M. Boggess.
Preceded in departing are his parents, son Anthony (Tony) J. Boggess (Jennifer), brothers, Orson Almo Johnson, (Gene) U.S. Marines, Robert Lee Johnson (Mae) U.S. Army, Duane Gray Boggess U.S. Navy, Donald Lee Johnson (Eve) U.S. Navy, sisters, Mimi Johnson Sorensen (Dale), Beverly Johnson Wiley (George), and Phyllis Johnson Whitelock (Robert) U.S. Navy and brother Howard Lynn Boggess (Rhonda Jo).
Wally is survived by his wife and pal, Jeannie, the first girl he ever kissed, whom he married July 1, 1965, in the Manti Temple. Daughter Mandee Boggess Stewart (Josh), daughter-in-law Jennifer Ball Boggess (Tony), Rick Boggess (Ranae), Rhonda Jo Boggess, Aline France, Althea Peterson (Lester). Grandchildren, Logan, Baylee, Ace, Ajay and Annie along with six bonus grandchildren.
Wally graduated from Richfield High School in 1959. He enjoyed swimming, teaching swimming lessons and lifeguarding at the “old” Richfield pool. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree at the College of Southern Utah, 1966, with his wife, Jeannie. They moved to Salt Lake, Jeannie taught school, Wally worked with State Farm Insurance. Later moved to Colorado Springs doing the same thing and later left State Farm for his own private investigations business. In 1988, they moved to Athens, Greece. Jeannie continued teaching school with the Department of Defense, Wally as base tax advisor and substitute teacher. Jeannie transferred to Aviano Air Base, Italy and Wally was a Base Commissary store worker.
They savored many wonderful moments in their life abroad and making new friends in different countries. They became a neighborhood fixture in their little Italian village. Wally served a mission in the North Central States for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed skiing and elk hunting in Colorado, family camping, just hanging out, chatting (Jeannie and the children knew that if Dad was not around, he would be off chatting with someone, even if he did not know them). Wally just liked people. He was proud that he competed the Salt Lake KSL/Deseret News and San Diego Holiday Bowl Classic marathons in 1987.
Wally’s involvements have been with the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, as the Relay Cancer Advocate Chair for several years. Wally was chosen Utah Cancer Advocacy Chair of the year 2016. He is a two-time survivor, but his dedication to this cause is due to the battle his son, Tony, put up against this disease.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 11:00 am at the Rock Church located at 75 E. Center St., Cedar City, UT, 84720. A viewing will be held at Southern Utah Mortuary on Friday, August 23, 2024, from 5:00-7:00 pm located at 190 N. 300 W., Cedar City, UT, 84720. The viewing on Saturday will be held at the Church from 9:30-10:30 am. Interment will be in the Cedar City Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. A livestreaming of the services can be viewed, and online condolences may be left at www.mortuary.org.