Wallace Wayne Hickerson, born July 30, 1934, in McMinnville, OR; passed away in Prosser on February 17, 2013.
Wally was raised in Hopewell, OR, and graduated from University of Oregon in 1958 with a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering, Hydraulics. He enlisted in the U.S. Army with a long tradition of family patriotism from his father who served in both WWI and WWII, and his brother who also served as a Marine in WWII. He was in the Core of Engineers bridging battalion in Germany from 1959-1962. He loved his experiences bridging the major rivers in Germany and told many stories to his family and friends. He was a sincere conservative patriot and loved his country.
Wally opened an engineering company in the Tri-Cities in 1980 at a time when all the other companies were leaving town. He was active in economic development throughout the Tri-Cities but focused on the Pasco economy. During the depression of the 1980’s Wally with several other business people and the Port of Pasco started the Products Industrial Exhibition (P.I.E.) which allowed over 120 businesses exhibit their locally produced products. He helped the city obtain permits for the beginning of the industrial waste water treatment and design of the facility. He also worked tirelessly to attain grants and taxes to build the TRAC in Pasco. There are so many other achievements with his name in the shadows; he was a real trooper for the Tri Cities Economic Development. He was member of the Tri-Cities Sunrise Rotary for over 10 years and served the Kennewick Lions Club in the 1980’s.
This surviving family includes his wife of 22 years, Eunice Hickerson of Prosser, his daughter Kathy Eskandani; sons Larry & Ken Hickerson; two step-sons, Nick & Kyle Dumas; two grandchildren Saum Eskandani and Sara Maxwell; and two Great-grandchildren.
Celebration of Life Services will be held at Bethel Church, Richland Campus on Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Celebration to continue at the Hickerson Home in Prosser. Memorial contributions may be made to Outwest Pet Rescue c/o Outwest Pet Grooming in Prosser.