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George community mourns Bushman
City of George public works director Wallace Bushman, 60, was killed in an accidental drowning on Thursday, Aug. 26.
According to city and county authorities, Bushman was checking on a storm drain near new construction on East Deacon Street shortly after 10 a.m, when he fell into the drain and could not get out on his own. He was found dead inside the drain about 10:30 a.m., the victim of freshwater drowning, as determined by coroner Dave Matney. The accident is being investigated by the state Department of Labor & Industries.
Bushman moved to the Quincy area with his family when he was 2. He grew up on a farm near George and had worked for the City of George as the public works director for the past six years. He had served on the city council prior to his employment with the city.
“His death will leave a huge hole in the community of George,” said Mayor Elliot Kooy. “He was the only full-time employee the city had. He did everything. He was the sewer operator, freshwater operator, repaired the streets, took care of the park, worked with contractors, everything. He also volunteered a tremendous amount of time with the Community Hall. I may have been the mayor, but he did all the work.”
Pete Smith, who has served as public works director for both George and Quincy, has volunteered to operate George’s freshwater and sewer facilities until a more permanent replacement can be found, Kooy said.
Bushman, who was the focus of a Post-Register story in 2005 shortly after he was hired by the City of George, said this about the job.
“It’s a great job,” he said. “There’s always a chance to learn new things.”
Bushman’s death also touched Kooy personally. He was Kooy’s next-door neighbor and a fellow graduate of the Quincy High School Class of 1968.
“He was a positive person and always had a good attitude,” Kooy said. “He told me on a number of occasions that he loved his job and loved working for the citizens of George. I never heard him say an unkind word about anybody.”
Along with serving as the public works director, Bushman also volunteered as a Scoutmaster for Quincy Boy Scout Troop 76. He and his wife, Jean, have six children. They also made a home for four of their young nephews after Bushman’s brother, Kenneth, was killed in a car accident in 2002.
His funeral was held Monday, Aug. 30 at the Quincy chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
A fund has been set up at Washington Trust Bank for those who would like to help the Bushman family, by making a contribution to the “Wallace Bushman Memorial Fund.”
Checks may also be mailed to Washington Trust at: 509 Central Ave. S, Quincy, WA 98848. Jean Bushman will have sole access to the account. Their financial need is great, and those close to them are encouraging people to help the family in this way, if they are able.
