Hollis Wayne Walls

Hollis W. “Pete” Walls, CAPT (USNR), age 87, died on February 28, 2019 at Country Meadows of Hershey, in Hershey, PA, from complications resulting from Dementia and Hairy Cell Leukemia.  Pete was born and raised in Danville, Indiana.  He graduated from Danville High School and enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve on Nov 28, 1949.  He graduated from Butler University in 1953 and completed Officer Candidate School the same year.  He attended Combat Information Center Officer (CICO) School and served as CIC Watch Officer and all-weather air controller aboard the USS Valley Forge CVS-45.  Due to a growing family, Pete separated from active duty in 1955 but continued Reserve affiliation in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he served multiple training deployments aboard cruisers, destroyers and destroyer escorts.

               His association with the Selective Service Reserve Forces Program began in 1969.  Ten years later he returned to active duty on special work assignment with the Selective Service System, an independent executive agency.  Pete served as region director in Great Lakes, IL and San Francisco, CA, and associate director of operations in Washington DC.  At the time of his release from active duty and retirement after nearly 42 years in the USNR, he was the executive director of the agency.

               Pete was also an educator.  At Eastwood Junior High School in Indianapolis, he taught biology, coached football and track, became athletic director and then a guidance counselor, and then assistant  principal and principal.  Most of his 24 years as an educator was in secondary school administration. 

Pete was preceded in death by his parents William Hollis and Sarah Bernice, and his 7 brothers and sisters: Mildred, Charles, Wilma, Maxine, Bill, Jane and Pat.  Pete is survived by his best friend and devoted wife of 65 years, Barbara, sons Jeffrey (daughter-in-law Jani) and David, daughter Holly; 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.   

The family extends heartfelt thanks and appreciation for all the loving support provided to Pete by family, friends, Country Meadows of Hershey staff and residents, the caring and professional  5th floor nursing staff of the Hershey Medical Center, and the Grane Hospice Staff.

  Visitation will be held at the Baker Funeral Home in Danville, IN, on Apr 5 from 10:00am-12:00pm, followed by a funeral service at 12:00pm.   Interment will take place at the Danville South Cemetery with a private graveside service with the immediate family only.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.  Pete will also be honored at a Celebration of Life service to be held at Country Meadows of Hershey in Hershey, PA.

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