WALTERS, Wallace Glen Walters

A proud and beloved member of the Kelowna community, passed away on June 9, 2026, at the age of 63. Born in Smithers, BC, on November 18, 1962, he carried the spirit of home with him through every chapter of his life.

Wallace Glen Walters made his way to Kelowna in the late 1980s and put down deep roots. He became a respected Elder at the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society, where he was a familiar and joyful presence on karaoke nights; belting out Creedence Clearwater Revival songs and his personal anthem, “God is Great, Beer is Good, and People are Crazy” with the kind of enthusiasm that filled a room and made everyone feel welcome. He was also a proud Elder and member of the Nee Tahi Buhn Band.

He was a firefighter with the Vernon Fire Stalkers unit crew, based out of Predator Ridge, fighting forest fires across Canada. From the 49th Parallel to the Yukon Territory, he answered the call to assist wherever he was needed, serving communities across the country. He was proud of that work and the people he worked alongside, carrying that pride quietly and honestly. Outside of firefighting, he and his brother were familiar faces in the annual Lumby parade, a tradition they looked forward to and enjoyed sharing with their community year after year.

Wallace loved his family fiercely, lived his life fully, and found joy in the everyday – riding his e-bike with music blasting from the Bluetooth speaker, cheering on the Calgary Flames, and keeping one eye on NASCAR. Regardless of its struggles, he loved life, and that warmth showed. Humorous, kind, and friendly, his infectious smile drew people in and kept them close.

He is survived by his siblings Patricia (Steve) Mortensen, Bertie (Tom) Hopkins, Arnold (Angie) Walters, and Lisa Walters (Matthew); nephew Virgil Pierre and niece Paula (John) Wylie and grandniece Kerra and grandnephew Reed; nephew Lee Hopkins and grandniece Aiyana and grandnephew Justus; nephew Jesse (Lenette) Walters and grandnephew Jesse Jr.; and brother-in-law Marc Monami and nephews Sam Walters and Scott Pierre.

Wallace joins his ancestors: his parents William and Flossie Walters, his brother Gilbert Walters, his sisters Florentia and Sarah Walters, and all the rest.

Wallace will be missed by all those who were positively impacted by Wallace’s presence while he was with us.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 10:00 am, located at the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society, 442 Leon Ave, Kelowna, BC.