Walter "Wally" Edward Yocum, Jr. departed this life Monday, February 29, 2016, surrounded by family in Dover, Delaware.  He was 82.

Wally was born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania in 1934 to Evelyn and Walter Yocum.  He married Rose Ann Portaro in 1955.

He will always be remembered by his love for his family, his sense of humor, and his service to his country.

Wally entered the United States Air Force after high school. By 1953, he was stationed at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina.  There, he spent time on B-26 bomber maintenance and learned jet engines.  Shortly thereafter, he was deployed to Korea as part of the 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing (Far East Air Force), 336th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, known as the world famous "Rocketeers."  While in Korea, Wally was assigned as the crew chief of the North American F-86 Sabre 52-4539, FU-539, which he quickly named "Sweet Rose" after his sweetheart back home, Rose Portaro.  Two years later, he was reassigned to Misawa Air Base in Japan and then was stationed at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where he would begin to make a life with Rose.  From 1955 to 1993, Wally worked at Dover Air Force Base, maintaining fighter aircraft and eventually one of the largest military planes in the world, the Lockheed C-5A Galaxy.  Wally was honored by the 336th at Seymour Johnson in 2014, decaling an F-15E Eagle with his name on the cockpit, "Cc Wally Yocum," and, of course, "Sweet Rose" on the nose.  During his time of service, Wally received four medals: the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.

Wally is survived by his brother Bob of Schwenksville, PA, his sister Helen of Elysburg, PA; his children Ken of Magnolia, DE, Tom of Eastover, NC, Eric of Dover, DE; his grandchildren Stephanie of Bear, DE, Jessica of Magnolia, DE, Miranda of Maryland, and Steven, Shayne, and Ava of Dover, DE.

Wally is preceded in death by his wife, Rose, and their son, Steve.

A private funeral will be held at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

To send a condolence letter, please visit www.matthewsbryson.com

Arrangements are by Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna