Copper River Record

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Scott Waller (1961-2024)

March 12, 1961 - January 18, 2024

“There is no greater pain than the day your heart quit beating and mine did not.” 

Beloved son, wonderful, devoted father and grandpa, Scott Daniel Waller died  January 18, 2024 when his home burned to the ground. Teddy “Ted Bear,” his faithful little dog, died with him.

Scottie was born in Fairbanks, Alaska in the Badger Road area on March 12, 1961. He graduated from North Pole High School in 1979 and moved to Valdez with his parents, Bob and Betty Waller in 1979. 

He spent the next few years on Prince William Sound. He worked as a deckhand, fisherman, and crabber on several commercial boats out of Valdez. He worked on the “Trio Suertes” for Exxon during the oil spill in 1989. He pulled drag and dove for anchors and other gear that had gone overboard. He finally bought his own boat, “The Dream Chaser,” put her under contract with Exxon, and spent his happiest days on the water. 

Scottie spent a few years in Hawaii where his daughter Danielle was born. When he left Hawaii, he moved to Idaho where his mom and dad had retired. 

Scottie long hauled for several years through all 48 states. His last few years he got a job driving from Twin Falls, Idaho to Salt Lake City, Utah, 500 miles each day. He came home on the weekends which gave him a chance to rebuild his 1913 farmhouse, which he loved. After five days on the road, Scott spent his “off days” house cleaning, doing laundry, cooking, tending his garden, repairing the house, and working on old trucks he had collected. 

Scottie’s right-hand seat in his truck belonged to Teddy. They made every trip together for 14 years. Scott was a man with a huge loving heart, a quick smile, and quick to help anyone in need, friend or stranger. 

Scottie and Teddy will be cremated and taken to Alaska where they will be sprinkled over Prince William Sound, the place he was happiest. 

Scottie’s passing has left a huge hole in our family. Scottie devoted a lot of his time to us, his parents, cooking meals in his home and bringing them over to us to eat together. He came to help his parents whenever we called and said we needed him, and called daily from the road at 8:00 a.m. We will hold him close in our hearts, always and forever. 

He leaves behind parents Bob and Betty Waller; brother Steven (Marilyn) Waller; Michael (Donna) Waller; daughter Danielle (Kameron Porter) Waller and their children Eliza and Henry; nephew Tommy Waller; niece Brianna Waller and her daughter Rylee; his very close friends Daniel and Cloe Buss and Callie Peterson; along with many trucking buddies scattered all over the United States. He will be missed and remembered by so many people.