Walter S. "Wally" Dietz

Walter S. “Wally” Dietz, 76, of Columbus, IN. passed away Thursday, December 12, 2024 at Columbus Regional Hospital. Wally was born in Tokyo, Japan on March 1, 1948 to William Dietz and Margaret Shoemaker Dietz. He married Linda L. Meeds on June 16, 1973. Wally was a proud graduate of Columbus High School, where he forged many lifelong friendships and laid the foundations for his future academic and professional pursuits. He carried his zeal for knowledge and community service to Earlham College, from which he graduated with a spirit of inquiry and a desire to make a difference in the world. After college, Wally embarked on a noble path in the healthcare field. He became a respected respiratory therapist and paramedic at Miami Valley Hospital, where his careful hands and kind demeanor earned him the role of head of the Miami Valley School for respiratory therapy. His relentless drive led him to join forces with his father in business at Bildico, providing invaluable services with a personal touch that reflected Wally's deep-rooted ethics and empathy. Wally's commitment to his community was evident through his volunteer work. He served as a volunteer fireman with both the Bellbrook, Ohio and Harrison Township fire departments, where his bravery and selflessness protected and improved numerous lives. His community service extended further as he lent his time and energy to Mission Columbus and various youth missions, embodying the true spirit of giving. Known for his strong faith, Wally was a dedicated member of Asbury United Methodist Church. His beliefs were the cornerstone of his life, guiding him in his ceaseless endeavors to aid and inspire those around him. Wally enjoyed helping others who did not have the means or wherewithal to help themselves, to have safe, dry, warm and dignified housing. This was his calling and passion. Be it through Housing Partnerships, Youth Mission Trips, Disaster Response and Recovery Mission Trips or Mission Columbus, Wally was and is still one of God’s angels. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 28, 2024 at Asbury United Methodist Church, 1751 27th St., Columbus, IN 47201. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service at 2 p.m. Private inurnment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church (Memo Line: Mission Columbus) or Harrison Township Volunteer Firefighter Company, Inc. Survivors include his wife, Linda L. Dietz; children, Kelly L. (Curtis) Axsom of Columbus, IN, and Matthew S. (Lisa) Dietz of Melvindale, MI; grandchildren, Cavan Stilson, Alexander Stilson and Conner Axsom; brother, William (Nancy) Dietz of Washington DC; sisters, Dorothy (Alan) Blitz of New York and Ruthanna (David) Mannix of Oldenburg, IN; father-in-law, Russell Meeds of Miamisburg, OH. Wally was preceded in death by his parents, William and Margaret Dietz. Arrangements were entrusted to Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home.