A native and lifetime resident of Sacramento. Wally graduated from Sacramento High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California State University, Sacramento.

Wally has been a Mortgage Loan Officer since 1987. He is a Life Member of the Sacramento Breakfast Optimist Club, part of Optimist International, and has served as club president five times for one year each, as well as a director many times. Wally is also a member of the Sacramento State Alumni Association, where he served as a director for seven years and as the immediate past president. He is the Director of the University Foundation at Sacramento State.

Wally has coached for Junior Giants and mentored undergraduate student members of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity at Sacramento State. He has raised considerable funds for Sacramento State Athletics, the Sacramento State Alumni Association, and the Sacramento Breakfast Optimist Club, and is an active fundraiser during the Big Day of Giving.

Wally has been married to Liz for 49 years, and together they enjoy sports, theater, and travel.