Wallace W. “Wally” Colson

Wallace W. “Wally” Colson, 85, of Dasher, died on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at his residence. Wally was born in Greencastle, Indiana to the late Wilbur Willis Colson and McCleta Irene Grubbs Colson on July 1, 1937. At an early age the Colson family moved to St. Petersburg, FL and then when Wally was in his early teens, they moved to Dasher. GA. Wally soon began attending Georgia Christian School and graduated from high school there in 1955. While in high school, he played basketball on the boy’s high school team referred to as the ‘Dasher Ducks’. After graduation, he attended David Lipscomb College on a basketball scholarship, before transferring to Harding University. One summer, during his college years, Wally started dating former the Barbara Wisenbaker after her freshman year of college. They had known each other during high school but never had dated. They were the second couple to marry in the newly built Dasher Church of Christ on August 15, 1958. He graduated from Harding in 1959 with a degree in Biology and returned to Dasher to being teaching at Georgia Christian School. As he began a brief teaching career, he taught biology and coached girls’ basketball.

Then, in 1962, after teaching a class at Georgia Christian on printing, he purchased the printing equipment from the school and relocated it to Valdosta and began Colson Printing Company. Colson Printing company has now been in business for 60 years and has grown over the years and Wally has been joined by his son Wendy in the business. Wally was a man of hard work and humor. As he grew his business over the years he also worked to mentor and develop his employees. He was very active in the Valdosta Chamber of Commerce for years and served as the President as well. He was also well known for continuing to encourage youth and youth programs in this area. Wally was a big supporter of the Valdosta Lowndes County Boys & Girls Club, heading up their golf tournament every year which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for children in our community. He has also given countless hours of effort and financial support to Georgia Christian School and the basketball court was named “Colson Court” in his honor. Wally was a faithful and devoted member of Dasher Church of Christ. Bill Malone, an employee, and friend was quoted as saying, “He was the ultimate prankster, but beneath all the hilarity, was a gentle heart, a kind soul, and a man who loved people.”

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Barbara Colson, of Dasher; a son and daughter-in-law, Wendy & Gina Colson, of Dasher; two daughters and sons-in-law, Cleta Colson-Eyre & Brad Eyre, and Connie & Philip Guthrie, all of Valdosta; his brother and sister-in-law, Gary & Mary Katherine Colson of Santa Barbara, CA; eight grandchildren, Willis (& Lindsay) Colson, Katie (& Austin) Plyler, Grant Colson, Augusta Guthrie, Colson (& Elizabeth) Guthrie, Boston Guthrie, Hannah Eyre and Sophia Eyre; and five great grandchildren, Hannah Colson, Eve Colson, Wake Colson, Kara Plyler and West Plyler. Also surviving are a sister-in-law, Mary Jean Armstrong, a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Emmett & Martha Bridges and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Al Armstrong.

The funeral for Wally will be held at 3 pm on Sunday, November 27, 2022, at Dasher Church of Christ. Mr. David Nelson, Mr. Bill Long and several family members will officiate. Burial will follow at Dasher Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church on Sunday afternoon from 1:30 pm until service time. Donations may be made to Georgia Christian School. Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.mclanecares.com Carson McLane Funeral Home