Jesse Hove
The Drumheller Mail

Driving gravel truck was Wally Olmstead’s job for over 52 years and while Olmstead’s favourite songs on those long trips may have been by the “King of Rock and Roll” Elvis Presley, Wally became famous in Starland County for something much different than singing.
Olmstead’s truck could haul smaller loads of gravel into areas that most gravel trucks couldn’t get through to unload.
Unloading gravel for farmer approaches and driveways became Olmstead’s expertise.
“If you needed gravel for your driveway, you would order a ‘Wally Load,'" said longtime friend Darryl Berlando.
As time went on, Olmstead also became known for his positive attitude and great work ethic.
“Wally was always in good spirits, never complained, he was just a pleasure to be around,” said Berlando.
John Booth, another companion of Olmstead’s remarked, “he worked for 46 years and rarely missed a day.”
Olmstead who was born and raised in Hanna and eventually settled in Craigmyle with his wife and five children, averaged around 45,000 miles a year, times that by 52 and you get just over 2.3 million miles of gravel truck driving.
“I really liked the peace and quiet going down the road,” said Olmstead. “I must have loved it, that’s why I stayed in it so long.”
Olmstead started trucking in 1955, working for Special Areas and different road jobs. During his time at Specials Areas he helped work on paving Highway 9 for the first time in the late 1950’s.
In 1957 he married his wife Betty and raised three girls and two boys, Cindy, Neil, Jerry, Sheila, and Heather.
Olmstead would finish the rest of his gravelling career in Craigmyle working for Starland County for the next 46 years.
Olmstead has made many lasting friendships at his job and while now retired, he will have more time with his eleven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.