Henry David Walls, 85, passed away peacefully at his home in Charlottesville, VA, with his wife and children at his side, on Friday, July 18, 2008.
Henry was born August 13, 1922 in Wilmington, DE, to the late Robert James Walls and Vera May Ford Walls, and was preceded in death by his beloved first wife of 44 years, Anna Joy Bauerle Walls. Survivors include his cherished wife of the past thirteen years, Marjorie Forehand Walls; his adopted daughters, Dorene Stanley of Scottsville, VA; and Joyce Allan and her husband, Richard Freeman Allan, of Crozet, VA; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; his nieces, Nancy B. Rarus of Herndon, VA; Dolores Campbell of Wyndmoor, PA; a nephew, Alan Bloom of Mountainside, NJ.; one grand-niece and two grand-nephews; and nine great-grand nieces and nephews.
Henry resided from 1929 to 1941 at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in Philadelphia and considered the years of his education as some of the happiest in his life. He worked for many years as a skilled machinist in Wilmington, DE and Pittsburg, PA and retired from a thirteen year career as Boys’ Dormitory Counselor at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in Pittsburgh. He was a member of Jefferson Park Baptist Church, Charlottesville, VA; the National Association of the Deaf, Blue Ridge Deaf Senior Citizens and the Pennsylvania Society for the Advancement of the Deaf
Henry loved golf, antiquing, road trips, travel abroad, and attending Deaf conventions. He was active in the Scottsville Museum and took pride in his father’s role as its first curator. His greatest pleasures were his two marriages and his extended family.
Henry’s glowing face always conveyed his spirit of authenticity, generosity and compassion. By his example he taught everyone around him the true meaning of unconditional love.
The family extends sincerest thanks to the remarkably loving staff of Rosewood Village who became part of Henry’s extended family in his final years, and to the generous hearts of staff and volunteers of Hospice of the Piedmont.
A funeral service will be held 11 A.M., Monday, July 21, 2008, at the chapel of Thacker Brothers Funeral Home, Scottsville, VA. Interment will follow at the Scottsville Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, Henry asked that donations be made to the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, Heritage Museum Center, and ATTN: Development Office, 100 W. School House Lane, Philadelphia, PA, 19144.