Wallace "Wally" I. Rayl

Col. Wallace (Wally) I. Rayl (US Army retired) passed peacefully at home, after a lengthy battle with mantle cell lymphoma, on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Wally was born April 28, 1933, in Hardin County, Washington Township, Ohio, to Charles and Kathryn (nee Businger) Rayl. He grew up in the Ada area with his two older sisters and six younger brothers.

Wally graduated from Ada High School 1951. During his time at Ada High, Wally played football and basketball, served as chairman of the National Honor Society, and was president of the Student Council. His time as Student Council President helped lead him to a commissioned post during his military career.

In 1952, Wally met the love of his life, Jean Krouse. He always said he wanted to marry her the moment he first saw her; he was that in love. They wed on February 7, 1953. During their marriage, Wally and Jean had five children and made a plethora of memories.

Shortly after marrying Jean, he was drafted into the US Army. After making the decision to make the military his career, he attended Officer Candidate School. During his decorated military career, Wally served two tours in Korea and one in Vietnam. The Army also moved the family multiple times all over the country. Wally retired in 1979, with the rank of full Colonel, from his final post in Great Falls, Montana.

After his retirement from the US Army, Wally & Jean moved to Saratoga, Wyoming, to be the inaugural pastor of the Saratoga Alliance Church. Wally led this church for the next 13 years until his second retirement. His second retirement included a move to Buffalo, Minnesota to help run a family business.

Wally and Jean made their final move to Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 1998 to enjoy full retirement. Wally became involved in the Cheyenne community participating in WyWatch and writing frequent letters to the editor of the Cheyenne Tribune Eagle newspaper; he also held leadership positions in the Cheyenne Alliance Church and the Cheyenne Evangelical Free Church. During this final retirement, Wally was able to enjoy spending time with his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and supporting causes he believed in.

Wally was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Kathryn; Jean’s parents, Kenneth and Caroline Krouse; infant daughter, Julie; sisters, Josephine and Shirley; brothers, Waldo, Gerald, Dan, and Dave; daughter-in-law Patricia Rayl; and brother-in-law, George Krouse.

He is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Jean, as well as his brothers, Jerry and Charles; his children, Jeff Rayl, Mitch (Shelley) Rayl, Barb (Derek) Hess, and Carolyn (Joe) Gaspari. Wally and Jean were blessed with thirteen grandchildren, Nathan (Kim) Rayl, Renee (Don) Portell, Sarah Rayl, Austin (Kat) Hess, Reann (Robby) Follum, Carly (Lance) Grubb, Amanda (Rob) Hampson, Ben (Stacie) Rayl, Alex (Sami) Hess, Matt (Kelli) Rayl, Chelsie Gaspari, Joe Rayl, Dave (Jessica) Rayl. These grandchildren then blessed them with seventeen great-grandchildren, Jake Rayl, Joey Rayl, John Steele, Sophia Grubb, Autumn Rayl, Haley Grubb, Natalie Follum, Ryan Follum, Matt Grubb, Ellie Follum, Holly Hess, Nora Rayl, Rose Rayl, Mei Hess, Oliver Rayl, Henry Rayl, and Lucy Rayl.

Services will be held at Schrader, Aragon, and Jacoby on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 12:30PM. Interment will commence at the Cheyenne National Cemetery; immediately following the service, a reception will be held at the Barn at Cheyenne Hills Church from 3:00PM - 5:00PM.