OHS grad opens West Richland dental practice

WEST RICHLAND — Former Othello High School standout quarterback Wally Cantu has made the transformation from the gridiron where teeth are often jarred loose, into a profession that provides the utmost care for the pearly whites with the August opening of Crown Dental in West Richland.

Cantu, as many will remember, led the Huskies to their last state championship in 2004.

Wally, who is the eldest of five siblings, was born and raised in Othello. He developed his interest in dentistry while attending OHS.

“It was during Career Day when a local dentist came in and talked about the profession. It ignited an interest in me,” he said. “Upon graduation, I got a job at Columbia Basin Health Association as a dental assistant to learn more and make sure it was something I wanted to do. It was there I saw a need for a Hispanic dentist, which strengthened my desire to become one.”

Wally has deep roots in Mexico. His parents, who are originally from Nuevo León, began migration to the U.S. in the 60s.

“They came with their parents who were agricultural laborers. With the support of his family, my dad was able to get an education and became a medical doctor in Tampico. He then married my mother and moved to Monterrey, Mexico,” Wally said. “Due to the economic situation, my dad decided he wanted to provide a better future for his family and they moved to Othello in 1987 where he and my uncle built a very successful trucking business.”

Growing up, Wally recalls wanting to make his parents proud — didn’t want their hard work to go unmerited.

“I remember my parents stressing the importance of always seeking God and getting an education, and through that doors would open,” Wally said. “My faith kept me grounded and when obstacles came my way I would get through them with his mercy and grace. There was a lot of stress in applying to college and then figuring out how to pay for it all. God opened doors and I was awarded a Costco Diversity Scholarship worth over $40,000 that paid for 95 percent of my college expenses at the University of Washington.”

Wally, 29, married his high school sweetheart in 2009. He and Connie have three children; Chloe (7), William (5) and Warren (3).

“Connie has given me such amazing support — I cannot even begin to describe it,” Wally said. “She knows the challenges I have gone through and she has been there every step of the way to help me get through it all. I thank God for putting her in my life as she has helped me to become the best that I can be. I seriously do not think I would be where I am now if it wasn’t for her love and support.” 

At the end of his junior year at the UW, Wally applied for and was accepted to the Marquette University School of Dentistry in Milwaukee, Wi. In 2013, Wally, Connie and their three kids made the trek across country.

“Getting into dental school for me and my family was a big thing,” Wally said. “As a minority, things are stacked against you. At that time just 1-out-of-10 Hispanics earned a bachelors degree –and I was able to obtain a doctorate degree.”

The year prior to attending dental school was very trying for him.

“I lost a very close friend — my grandfather. He was a man I looked up to – he wanted to change his life for the better of his family,” Wally said. “When you lose someone close to you it hits you hard, sometimes to a point where you feel like giving up. But the legacy he left behind inspired me and I strived to continue it.”

The four years he and his family spent in Wisconsin, were difficult as well, Wally said.

“It was one of the hardest times of our lives. We didn’t have family close by and Connie felt at times she was raising the kids by herself because I was studying so much. A lot of sacrifices were made, but we pushed through together. She is truly an amazing woman.”

After graduating dental school, Wally and Connie wanted to be closer to family and decided to move to the Tri-Cites area in 2014.

He embarked on his new profession at the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic in Sunnyside, and worked Saturday’s at a private office.

This past August, Wally opened his own dental practice.

“Its been a dream of mine since high school,” Wally said. “It’s hard to believe that 11 years have passed and my dream is now reality. This would have not been possible if not for the love and support of my best friend, my wife Connie. She has sacrificed her dreams and aspirations and made my dreams hers. The road to dental practice ownership has not been easy, but has already been so rewarding. We have met some really awesome people from the community.”

When the opportunity presents itself, Wally finds his way back to the community he grew up in.

“I make it to Othello occasionally as we still have family there,” he said. “I love the feel of the town when we stroll into Main Street and see how it is growing commercially and residentially. And yes, I do drive by the football field and reminisce.”