Brian Joseph Waltrip

Brian Waltrip, 67, of Centralia, passed away June 17, 2025.  He was born February 19, 1958 in Chehalis, WA to Homer and Kathleen Waltrip, the second of four children.  Friends called him Bud.

Brian grew up in Chehalis with his brothers, Kelly and Randy, and his sister, Mary, playing in the woods, riding bikes and motorcycles.  He had a paper route, worked on a dairy, and catching chickens at a local farm.  He later got a job driving pea combine in the summer for The Cannery (National Frozen Foods) in Chehalis.  After graduation from WF West High School in 1977, he went to work full time for The Cannery, until retiring after 42 years in 2020.

Brian enjoyed the outdoors.  Growing up, Brian’s family camped a full week every summer at La Wis Wis Campground near Packwood.  He began hunting with his father and brothers at an early age, hunting deer and elk with both rifle and bow.  He could talk for hours telling hunting stories, and knew every logging road in the Mt. St. Helens and surrounding areas.  He has many displays in his home of hunting triumphs that he was very proud of.  Hunting was one of his biggest joys.  Brian enjoyed riding his snowmobile in winter and his quad atv in summer.

Brian and his first wife Kathy Hill built a home on 20 acres northwest of Centralia, where they raised and showed bullmastiff dogs, and had horses. They divorced in 1997.  Brian kept the home on 20 acres and lived there the rest of his life with a succession of faithful dogs and riding his quad.

Brian met Peggy Poe where they both worked at The Cannery.  They lived together as domestic partners for 20 years before Peggy passed away in 2019.  Brian helped Peggy pursue her love of collecting antiques and together they spent countless hours shopping antique stores, thrift shops and flea markets.

Brian is survived by his older brother Kelly Waltrip of Laramie, WY, his younger brother Randy Waltrip of Centralia, his younger sister Mary Waltrip of Olympia, aunt Mary Coie, uncle Calvin Coie, nephew Luke Waltrip, and cousins Teresa Linwood, Deanna Johnson, Daniel Allen, Brent Coie, and Colleen Snyder.

A gathering of food, family and friends is scheduled for Friday, July 25 from 5 pm to 8 pm at Borst Park Kitchen #1.  Food provided, potluck optional.