Obituary; Dallas Layne Beals

Dallas Layne Beals, age 75 of Walla Walla, passed away at his home on Monday, May 11, 2015.  He was born to the late Dallas and Mary Beals on Sept 26, 1939 in Silesia, Montana.  He graduated from Edgar (MT) High School in 1957 and enlisted in the US Navy.  He was assigned to the USS Yorktown (CV-10) and he made two WestPac deployments.  After his discharge, he moved back to Montana and married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Sielinsky.

Layne received his teaching degree from Montana State University and began an over 30-year teaching career that took him and his family to Browning, Broadview, and finally Plains. He was recently honored with a 50-year Masonic membership pin, and his friendships with some of his fellow Masons and Shriners were amongst his most treasured.  He and his family enjoyed camping and RVing, especially upon their retirement.

Layne had a lifelong passion for music and played numerous instruments, including the piano and guitar.  He was just as comfortable playing and singing around the campfire as he was when Charlie Pride joined his band for a few songs when he was playing professionally.

Layne and Shirley always made an effort to be present at many of their children’s and grandchildren’s activities and special events.  He cherished his family and friends, and the time spent with them.  He is survived by his wife Shirley; brother Gary and his wife Janet; daughter Valerie and her husband Jim; son Steve and his wife Elaine; and his four grandchildren: Rachael, Nathan, Zac, and Bryan.

A ceremony to celebrate his life will be held at Mountain View - Colonial DeWitt in Walla Walla, WA, at 4pm on Memorial Day, May 25th, 2015.  Interment will be at the Rockvale Cemetery in Joliet, MT at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Plains School District #1, PO Box 549, Plains, MT 59859 for a scholarship to be established in his name.