Obituary: Dr. Wallace E. “Wally” Fusilier

Dr. Wallace E. “Wally” Fusilier (1938 – 2017)

Dr. Wallace E. “Wally” Fusilier of Dexter, MI, age 78, died Saturday, April 15, 2017 at the Evangelical Home in Saline under the care of Arbor Hospice. He was born August 17, 1938 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Dr. Oozman & Monica F. (Cook) Fusilier.

Wally graduated from Clarkston High School in 1956, then signed up for the Navy where he served from 1956-58. Wally attended Eastern Michigan University, then transferred to the University of Michigan. He graduated from U of M in 1982 with a PhD in water quality from the School of Public Health. Wally Founded Water Quality Investigators. He was a renowned Limnologist, and was known as the Lake Doctor. He studied the water quality of close to 100 lakes in lower Michigan. Wally taught water quality at Wayne County Community College in the Coastal Environmental Studies Program, was a graduate teaching assistant at EMU, and taught classes for the Adult Learners Institute. In addition, he wrote a water quality newsletter, which was both informative and humorous. He was President of the Dexter Area Historical Society, a member of the Dexter Area Fire Board, Supervisor of Lima Township, a member of SEMCOG, and Grand Marshall of the Dexter parade in 2014. He built his own house with his wife, Bene. Wally enjoyed woodworking, and loved old cars, hot rods, and car shows. He enjoyed sharing coffee with the car guys from Dexter, and had a gift of humor that was enjoyed by all.

On August 10, 1963, Wally married Bene Waterbury, and she survives. Other survivors include his twin brother, Dr. Charles (Marilyn) Fusilier of Manchester, his brother, Joseph “Pete” (Theresa) Fusilier of Stillwater, MN, his sisters, Mary (Warren) Beers of Sebawang, Dr. Marcelline (Steven MacAulay) Fusilier of Chicago, many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Ronald Fusilier.

The family received friends at Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea on Friday, April 21 from 2-4 & 6-8 pm, with military honors at 4 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to Dexter Area Historical Society, 3443 Inverness Street, Dexter, MI 48130.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.