COLUMBUS
William L. “Bill” Walls, 76, of Columbus, passed away November 6, 2021 at 11:30am at St. Vincent Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born In Terre Haute on July 9, 1945. He is the son of Gerald Walls and Norma Gallion Walls. Bill married Roberta Mellinger on June 12, 1966.
Bill was raised in Terre Haute and is a 1963 graduate of Garfield High School. He graduated from Indiana State University with Bachelors and Masters degrees in Criminology. Bill served on the Indiana State Police for 33 years, retiring with the rank of Captain. During his time with the ISP, he worked as a Trooper at the Bloomington and Terre Haute Posts. He served as a Squad Sergeant in Terre Haute, and Lieutenant (District Commander) of the Seymour post. Upon promotion to Captain, he was the Area IV Commander. He also served as the Assistant Commander of the Logistics Division, and at the time of his retirement was the Commander of South Field Operations covering the Seymour, Versailles, Sellersburg, Jasper and Evansville Districts. During his career, he received several awards, help to start the first multi-agency drug task force in Terre Haute, assisted with security planning with the 1987 Pan American Games held in Indianapolis, and graduated from the FBI National Academy. He was a member of the Indiana State Police Alliance and the Fraternal Order of Police.
Bill was a life-long car enthusiast. He enjoyed owning and restoring antique cars and particularly loved Corvettes of which he owned many during his life. He was a founding member of the Terre Haute Corvette Club and was a member of the Corvette Club, Columbus, IN. Bill also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and playing with his dog, Wally.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Roberta Mellinger Walls; three children, William (Katherine) Walls, Jennifer (Robert) Kelley, and Rebecca (Neal) Newell, all of Columbus; brother, Phillip (Noel) Walls of California; grandchildren, Alexander, Camden, Anna, Owen, Emma and Callie.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
The funeral service will be conducted at 12:00 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church, (3300 Fairlawn Drive, Columbus, IN 47201) with Dr. Daniel Cash officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service Thursday at the church.
In keeping with Bill’s wishes, cremation is planned after the funeral service. Interment will take place at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Indiana State Police Alliance (1415 Shelby Street, Suite A, Indianapolis, Indiana 46203).
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with Bill’s family and a video tribute may be viewed at barkesweaverglick.com.
Arrangements entrusted to Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home.
