Wally Memorial

Paying tribute to Wally Butler of the Idaho Farm Bureau. One of life's certainties is the fact that we are only here for a while. And so it is with good friend to almost all of Idaho agriculture, Wally Butler was a range specialist of the finest caliber. I walked into work the other morning and was told that Wally had passed. The sad thing about it is that he had just retired from the Idaho Farm Bureau and was enjoying the "golden years". Wally was a very solid family man, agricultural enthusiast, horse and dog lover and all around good guy. Every time I had a question about anything having to do with range land, Wally was always there. I would ask him about cheat grass, cattle grazing, BLM issues and disputes, sage grouse habitat, wolves, you name it, Wally always had a thoughtful, incisive and accurate answer for me. Here is a clip of a story that I did on Wally after he received the honor of serving as president of the Society for Range Management. "Wally: "You have been placed as president of the Society for Range Management for a one-year term. Tell me about your responsibilities. I have been active in the society for many years. I spent 3 years on the board, 2006, 2007, 2008 and after that I was elected the chairmanships which meant I was 2nd vice president 2 years ago and 1st vice president last year and president this year. Wally apparently died of a heart attack on Tuesday but he was in a good place. On his way to Fairfield with horses and dogs to do some range work. Wally, you will be missed.