Wallace "Wally" C. Gifford, 90, of 91 Whitfield Lane Hendersonville, NC passed away on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, following a sudden illness.

Born December 20, 1934 in Elgin, IL, he was the son of James T. Gifford Sr. and Florence Kenyon Gifford, who preceded him in death.

Wally attended Iowa State University before obtaining a Bachelor's degree in accounting from Northern Illinois University. He attended the same fraternity at both universities.

On July 2, 1954, Wally married Monica Reinert. He enjoyed spending time with his family and playing semi-professional fastpitch softball as a phenomenal pitcher. During his many years in Illinois, he was employed by Illinois Tool Works (ITW). Monica preceded him in death on January 3, 1979.

Following his wife's passing, Wally relocated to Eau Claire, WI, where he accepted the position of Vice President of Phillips Plastics. Through mutual friends, he met his future wife Marian in December of 1979, whom he married on June 7, 1980 at First Presbyterian Church in Ironwood, MI. Wally and Marian later relocated to Statesville, NC where he accepted the position of President of Southern Screw Inc., where he was employed until he and Marian retired to Hendersonville, NC in late 1997.

Wally found that he could not sit still and that retirement was not for him, so he re-entered the workforce as a courier for LabCorp of Asheville where he spent the last 18 years with an incredible work family who held him in high regard and considered him the "Gold Standard".  He embodied the words of Ronald Acuna Jr., "Stay humble and work hard every day, no matter what happens".

Wally was a Duke fan, enjoyed cheering for the St. Louis Cardinals, and enjoyed the wit and sarcasm of the late Bob Uecker. He loved all sports and embraced every opportunity to discuss the latest game or race and could quote stats off the top of his head. He also enjoyed all things math and meteorology.

Willie Stargell once said, "There's nothing I value more than the closeness of friends and family, a smile as I pass someone on the street".  Wally valued and cherished his friends and family, and was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and an amazing friend.

In addition to his parents and his first wife, Wally was preceded in death by a son, Scott Gifford.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Marian Gifford, of the home, daughter, Cindy Sutherin, who blessed him with 3 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, daughter in law, Janet Feffer (Scott), who blessed him with 1 grandchild, daughter, Sue Gifford – Teppen (Randy) who blessed him with 2 grandchildren, daughter, Ree Gifford ( Steve), who blessed him with 3 grandchildren, son Kurt Gifford ( Sue), who blessed him with 2 grandchildren, son Mike Gifford (Page), who blessed him with 2 grandchildren, son, Craig Gifford, who was his closest friend and sports buddy, daughter Christine Petrusha ( David), who blessed him with 3 grandchildren – Elizabeth Eakes ( Nick), Madison Petrusha, and Noah Shelton, and a brother, James T. Gifford Jr. (Elfrieda), as well as a niece and nephews.

Elizabeth, Madison, and Noah had the privilege of being a part of their Grandpa Wally's everyday life and will forever cherish and honor all the memories that they were blessed to have made with him.

A Celebration of Life was held at Brevard Church of God in Brevard, NC at 2:30 PM on April 24, 2025. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Wally's memory to the Wounded Warrior Project.