Wally was born on August 30, 1960, to Walter H. and Evelyn R. (Propeck) Bauer, the youngest of four children. He grew up in Montrose, MO, and attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and Montrose High School, class of 1978. Shortly after high school, Wally took a job with Clearfield Cheese in Clinton, MO working as a mechanic. He transitioned to Freightliner of Springfield, MO in 1985 and served as their night Service Manager for a few years before returning to Henry Co in 1988 and becoming the manager at the Kansas City location. Wally served as a Service Manager for KC Freightliner for nearly 40 years, making lifelong friendships that were more like family. Through hard work, dedication, and a self-taught approach, Wally was able to turn his passion into a lifelong career. He married Nancy (Ross) Bauer on May 28, 1988, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Urich, MO. To this union, two children were born, Michael Bauer in January of 1991 and Erin (Bauer) Schell in February of 1993.
Wally was a passionate and loving soul who cherished time with his family and friends. He was born and raised in the Catholic faith; in later years he served as a CCD teacher, Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and right-hand man to the priests of Holy Trinity Church. He enjoyed trap/skeet shooting, playing guitar, racing, and most of all telling stories and making others laugh till there were tears in their eyes. Wally had an exceptional racing career, starting shortly after high school and hanging up his racing suit in the fall of 2008. He raced pure stocks, street stocks, late models, and modifieds. He met and made many friends through this passion, and they all say he was a phenomenal driver and a clean racer. Wally also hosted an annual clay pigeon shoot at his home every fall, inviting anyone he met. He never met a stranger; in fact, his wife and children still laugh about the encounters on family vacations out of state, far and wide, always running into someone he knew.
He is preceded in death by his parents Walter and Evelyn, his older brother Robert (Bob) Bauer, Sister-in-Law Ann (Tindall) Bauer, and niece Karla Bauer.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his children: Michael (Mollee) Bauer and grandchildren Shelby and Samuel of Urich, MO, and Erin (Darren) Schell and grandchildren Andrea and Theodore Schell; sister Mary (Bill) Harris of Montrose, MO, Rick (Joanne) Bauer of Montrose, MO; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, and many dear friends.
The family suggests memorial donations be made to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Urich, Missouri and may be left at Hill & Son Funeral Home or at the the church the day of Mass.