Wallace D. Liggett died the afternoon of July 17, 2019, in Fort Collins, Colorado, at the age of 93. His children, Michael D. Liggett and James W. Liggett and grandchildren, Sarah E. Liggett and Morgan S. Liggett were with him at the time of his death. Wally is survived by his sons, Michael and James of Fort Collins, Colorado; granddaughter Sarah Liggett (Jason Brady) of Fort Collins, Colorado, grandson Morgan Liggett (Stephanie Burke-Liggett) of Westminster, Colorado and great grandchildren Emmett M. Brady and Graham S. Brady. His wife Margie Joanne Liggett predeceased him on December 31, 2018.
Wally was born on January 12, 1926 to Clarence and Carthel Liggett in Muscotah, Kansas on the family farm. He graduated from Atchison High School. During World War II, Wally entered the Army Air Corp and made a career in the United States Air Force as a flight engineer and flight line chief. Wally was the crew chief on the C-54 cargo aircraft and flew 105 missions into Berlin during the Berlin Airlift. He was an aircraft mechanic on such famed airplanes as the Enola Gay and the Boxcar.
Wally married Margie Joanne Johnson, on March 4, 1950 and they soon started their family.
Wally’s Air Force career took him and his family to many locations around the United States, from Dover, Delaware to Anchorage, Alaska. He was assigned and flew throughout Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and North America. He retired from the United States Air Force in 1964. Wally was bestowed with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, one of the first ever chief master sergeants in the Air Force. He was inducted into the Air Force Heritage Hall of Fame in 2007.
In 1964, Wally, Joanne and their family moved to Fort Collins, Colorado. They made their lives in Fort Collins with a temporary hiatus in Sun City West, Arizona lasting 17 years. In 2010, they returned to Fort Collins to be near their family.
In retirement Wally and Joanne enjoyed family, friends, travel, photography, volleyball (playing well into his 80’s), National Park explorations, and vigorous political debate. These endeavors took Wally and Joanne to all parts of the United States.
In their marriage of 68 years Wally and Joanne engaged the world with curiosity, generosity, and caring. They were fortunate to have a long life together well lived.
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