"So that was me done. Couldn't get a job, no one wanted the union bloke. We were a bit radical in those days, I can tell you."
Before his union days he was the sexton at the Masterton cemetery for 10 years - "the bloke who dug the graves and filled them in again".
And there were many stories to tell from those days.
He remembered when an old mate had died and how he had struggled to dig the grave.
"The grave got bigger and bigger because I was digging through so much gravel, clay and loose earth."
When the grave was finally prepared with the mats and things around the side he warned the funeral directors to ensure the mourners stood carefully at the graveside, he said.
"But the widow stepped forward, fell between the boards and tumbled down into the grave. We had to put everything on hold while we pulled her out then carried on with the burial."
Before he left he had planted 2500 native trees throughout the grounds of the cemetery.
His move into Marton 25 years ago has worked for him, he said.
Wally's Book Shop is renowned in the central North Island for having the largest number of Penguin books on its shelves. Last count was 850.
"Penguin books publish the best authors," he said.
His favourite author is John Steinbeck, especially Steinbeck's 1945 novel Cannery Row.
He keeps his pride and joy, his collectable books, first editions and rare books out the back.
"You can't just go out there. I need to approve you."
Even though he is in Marton's Main St his customer ratio has changed since he first opened, he said.
"I used to have 80 per cent local people and the rest were out-of-towners, but now it's the other way round."
Many of his customers are the rapidly increasing number of people touring the country in their motor homes and campers.
Two years ago the New Zealand Motorhome and Caravan Association (NZMCA) bought the old Marton camp behind Marton Park from the Rangitikei District Council to give its members another safe, secure space to stay on their travels.
He wasn't happy the council sold the camp ground but at least it was sold to a decent buyer, he said. With the motor home park just around the corner and up the street, his out-of-town customer base has grown enormously, he said. "They are great readers, these campervanners. They come in and exchange books, buy books, give me books and talk books. It's always interesting."
Kind of beats those odd customers who were redecorating their houses and would pop in for a metre of red books and a metre of green, he said.
Wally's not thinking about retiring any time soon.
"If I have to close, I'm not moving again. I'll just have a big bonfire in the street," he grins, then winks.
