Walter “Wally” L Binder, 89, peacefully passed away on Monday, February 2, 2026, at the Sidney Health Center Extended Care in the Angel Ave Unit in Sidney, Montana surrounded by family.

Wally was born on April 23, 1936, near Beulah, ND to William (Bill) and Lydia (Buechler) Binder. He was the oldest of 8 children. He was a farm boy that grew up near Beulah. He attended a small country school then graduated from Beulah High School in 1955 where he was very active in their sports program of football, basketball and boxing.
After graduation he joined some fellas and went to the west coast where he worked at the Boeing Airplane factory. After 2 months he returned to ND to work for his dad and another farmer before going to work at the Flemmer Coal Company in New Salem, ND where he learned to operate heavy equipment.
On September 9,1956, he married Marlys Flemmer. That fall he went to welding school at the college in Fargo, ND. They bought a mobile home then moved to Beulah where he was hired by the Knife River Coal Company in 1958.
Daughter Leslie Kaye was born in March of 1958. Wally was transferred that summer to help open the Knife River Coal mine in Savage, MT. Son Mark Allen was born in February of 1960 and daughter Kerri Lynn was born in November of 1966.
Wally was very active in the Savage community. He was a member of the Savage school board and a volunteer fireman. He helped with the Breezy Flats Lads and Lassies 4H club during the 11 years that Leslie and Mark were in 4H.
Both Wally and Marlys trusted the Lord while living in Savage and became very involved in the Savage Yellowstone Church. Later they joined several other families and became charter members of the Bible Baptist Church in Sidney. They moved to Sidney in 1979.
Wally retired from the Knife River Coal Company after 37 years of dedicated service. He wasn't done working. He worked for the Sugar factory for several years then went to work as the ground keeper for the Sidney Golf Club.
He loved his family, his pets, hunting, fishing, 5K walks and the Green Bay Packers. He enjoyed teasing people, especially Harry at Reynolds and Randy at The Market. He enjoyed giving Dum Dum suckers to kids (after getting Mom's permission). Gardening was a favorite and he would share the proceeds and can tomatoes, salsa and pickles using Maw's recipe. He did Word Search and later would repeat 3 letter segments with a rhythm like eae, eee, LLL,
He loved the Binder Reunions and his International travels to Israel, Jordan, Germany, Switzerland, France, Cameroon plus several other areas of Africa, Canada and Mexico plus many US states.
Survivor's are his wife, Marlys of 69 years, daughter Leslie (Gary) McPherson, Sidney, MT, son Mark (Diane) Binder, Sidney, MT, daughter Kerri (Joe) Simard, Sidney, MT, grandchildren Eric (Keri) McPherson, Sidney, MT, Michelle (Tyler) Fruland, Nashville, TN, Tyrell McPherson, Missoula, MT, Jade (Mandi) Binder, Billings, MT, Ali (Jesse) Coleman, Lakeside, MT, Michael (Krystenna) Simard, Sidney, MT, Jolynne (Kaleb) Bryant, Belgrade, MT. Great grandchildren Taylor McPherson, Wyatt McPherson, Garrett McPherson, Connor McPherson, Lydia Fruland, Vera Fruland, Deyla Binder, Otto Binder, Braden Coleman, Stevie Coleman, Celeste Simard, and Ivey Simard, sisters Wilma Binder, Bismarck, ND, Norine Paulson, Waseca, MN, Marge (Jerry) Kohm, Plains, MT, Janis (Jack) Bennett, Green Valley, AZ, brother Ray (Janet) Binder, Mesa, AZ, sister-in-law Arlene Binder, Brownsville, TX and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Lydia, brother Norman and brother Merlin.

Wally left us with many memories even though he lost his own memory.