Gene 61 passed away tragically in an accident doing what he loved to do most in life, fighting wildland fires, just north of Reno NV, in his Tanker 09. Born to Leonard and Maxine (schultz) Wahlstrom. Gene graduated from Ben Lomond High in 1965 and attended Weber State. He enlisted in the Navy and served on river patrol boats in Vietnam. Gene married Joyce Ashbaker on September 3 1976 in Kaysville, Utah. His numerous passions and hobbies included professional drag racing, skiing, Harleys and Model A Fords. An avid sports fan to include the New Orleans Saints, WSU football and the Ogden Raptors. Gene and Joyce traveled extensively, were members of the Beehive Model A Club and the Northern Utah Harley Owners group. He spent 11 years as a lineman for Utah Power and Light where he received an award for saving a fellow lineman who had been electrocuted. Gene was licensed as a pilot in 1979. During his flying career, he flew any craft from small Cessnas to commercial jets. He flew fire retardant tankers, smoke jumpers, "infra red" missions and lead plane during his wildland fire fighting career. He was employed as Chief Pilot for Neptune Aviation Services of Missoula, Montana. Gene is survived by his wife, Joyce, brothers Gary (YVonne) and Alan (Betsy) from California, sister in law Carleen Ashbaker, Layton and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceded in death by his parents. Internment, Huntsville City Cemetery.
Gene 61 passed away tragically in an accident doing what he loved to do most in life, fighting wildland fires, just north of Reno NV, in his Tanker 09. Born to Leonard and Maxine (schultz) Wahlstrom. Gene graduated from Ben Lomond High in 1965 and attended Weber State. He enlisted in the Navy and served on river patrol boats in Vietnam. Gene married Joyce Ashbaker on September 3 1976 in Kaysville, Utah. His numerous passions and hobbies included professional drag racing, skiing, Harleys and Model A Fords. An avid sports fan to include the New Orleans Saints, WSU football and the Ogden Raptors. Gene and Joyce traveled extensively, were members of the Beehive Model A Club and the Northern Utah Harley Owners group. He spent 11 years as a lineman for Utah Power and Light where he received an award for saving a fellow lineman who had been electrocuted. Gene was licensed as a pilot in 1979. During his flying career, he flew any craft from small Cessnas to commercial jets. He flew fire retardant tankers, smoke jumpers, "infra red" missions and lead plane during his wildland fire fighting career. He was employed as Chief Pilot for Neptune Aviation Services of Missoula, Montana. Gene is survived by his wife, Joyce, brothers Gary (YVonne) and Alan (Betsy) from California, sister in law Carleen Ashbaker, Layton and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceded in death by his parents. Internment, Huntsville City Cemetery.
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