Joseph Lalley

Joseph Walter Lalley of McMinnville, OR passed away on July 24, 2022 at the age of 85.

Joe was born on March 18, 1937 to Ernest and DeEtta Lalley in Binghamton, NY. Upon graduating from Binghamton North High School in 1953, Joe went on to study Hydrology at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY. After graduation, Joe landed his first job as a Hydrologist for the United States Geological Survey in NY. This position soon moved Joe and his wife and son to Montana where he worked for over 20 years. In 1978, Joe moved to Billings, MT, and worked for the State of Montana until he retired. He also worked with various fire departments in NY and MT over the years in both volunteer and paid positions.

With his first wife Kathy, Joe had two sons, Dan (Sharon) Lalley of Kalispell, MT, and Todd (Michelle) Lalley of Spokane, WA. He would go on to marry Lila Lee in Billings who preceded him in death. He was very proud to be a stepparent to Lila's children, Dave (Mary) Winslow and Lori (John) Grimstad, both of Billings.

After he retired, he moved to McMinnville, OR where he was active in the local car club, was a member of various bowling leagues, and he enjoyed spending time with his friends at the cardiac rehab center. He truly cherished the friendships he built there over the years.

Joe was an avid bowler most of his life and served in various leadership roles with the bowling associations. He loved fishing and hunting with his friends and family around Montana and was always willing to share great stories of these trips. His most prized possession was the restored 1967 Firebird convertible. He loved giving people rides in his car and going to car shows around Western Oregon.

He had a passion for firefighting and all things associated with it. He had an extensive collection of model firetrucks and books that he collected throughout his lifetime. It was not uncommon for him to randomly walk into a city's fire station and strike up a conversation about what trucks and equipment they had.

Joe loved his family and friends deeply and cherished their relationships. He is survived by 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He will be missed by all. He is also survived by all four of his siblings, Eileen Purcell, Bob (Lauren) Lalley, Betty Pozsgay, Chuck (Pat) Lalley.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, you please support your local fire department or Salvation Army with a donation. Internment will be on August 5th at 10:00 a.m. at Mountview Cemetery. There will be a celebration of life on September 17th at 2:00 p.m. at Dahl Funeral Home in Billings, MT followed by a reception (location to be determined).