Wallace Richard Reid

Wallace Richard (Wally) Reid passed away peacefully Saturday, September 5, 2015, at his home, east of Firth.

He was born May 2, 1929, at the family ranch in a little valley along the Blackfoot River, in Presto, Idaho, to Robert E. and Agnes Just Reid. He was the youngest child of a loving family of five boys, Eldro, Vincent, Fred and Douglass.

Reid’s grandparents homesteaded in the Blackfoot River Valley in 1870 when Idaho was still a territory. He was proud to live on and operate part of this original homestead. The farm was honored as a centennial ranch/farm by the State of Idaho.

Wallace married Marlene Stibal, on September 28, 1950, at her home in Roberts. They built their home, a log cabin, in 1951, which was enlarged over the years. They would have celebrated 65 years of loving partnership this year.

Following graduation from Firth High School, Wallace joined his brothers on the family ranch. They raised wheat, alfalfa, beets, Idaho Burbank potatoes and livestock. They broke out virgin land on the Presto Bench and irrigated with hand lines by pumping out of the Blackfoot River.

Reid was one of the first in the Blackfoot community to recognize the attributes of Black Angus cattle and ran a successful herd for many years. Reid was a member of the Eastern Idaho Grazing Association for nearly 70 years, serving as a director for 15 years.

Wallace had a happy outlook and whistled his way through life’s difficulties. He loved the cowboy life, and especially enjoyed sunrises and sunsets over the Blackfoot River Mts. He moved pipe and rode horseback into his 80’s. His love of his wife, children and grandchildren was unequaled.

He served as a board member of the Bingham County Soil and Water Conservation District for many years and was inducted in to the Eastern Idaho Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2013 for his leadership in water and land stewardship.

Wallace and Marlene farmed near the Shoshone-Bannock Reservation and developed a unique relationship with their Native American neighbors.

Wallace is survived by his wife and three children: Debbie Reid-Oleson (George) of Blackfoot, Casey Reid of Firth, and Cindy Telford (Wayne) of Shelley, 7 grand-children and 8 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, and son Clifford Reid.

A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2015 at Nalder Funeral Home, 110 West Oak, Shelley, Idaho. A visitation with friends and family will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 and Thursday morning from 9:30 - 10:40 at the funeral home.  Interment will follow the service on Thursday at the Goshen Cemetery.