John R. Walls, Jr.

John R. Walls, Jr., 86, died quietly at his home Thursday, May 29, 2008. A resident of Decatur for 31 years, Mr. Walls was born in Sioux City, Iowa and as a boy lived in the suburbs of Chicago and Minneapolis. On the debate team in high school, John and his teammates won the Minnesota state title in 1938 and placed second in the national debate tournament. An Eagle Scout, John also was active in DeMolay, the junior Masonic program, going on to become a Mason as an adult. Before the United States entered WWII, John enlisted in pilot training in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was commissioned a pilot officer and was based in England where he flew Vickers Wellington bombers in 25 missions with the Royal Air Force Costal Command. Later, John transferred to the United States Army Air Corps as a first lieutenant and flew B26s in 31 bombing missions over Germany. He attended the University of Minnesota and became vice president of sales for Central and South America for a company that made bank vaults. An avid reader, worker of crossword puzzles, and follower of current events, John was a weekly visitor to the Briarcliff Branch of the DeKalb Public Library. John's beloved wife, Sara Jane Warner, died August 5, 2007. He is survived by his sisters-in-law Marie Walls and Patricia Hanna as well as nieces and nephews and their children. A memorial service will be held in the chapel of A. S. Turner & Sons at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 7, Rev. James Sanders officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Weinstein Hospice, the Briarcliff Branch of the DeKalb Public Library, or the Humane Society. In his love of his wife, of his country, John showed that he truly was a member of the Greatest Generation. A. S. Turner & Sons