Donald Ralph Walls

Donald Ralph Walls died on March 30, 2015, at Good Shepherd Hospice House, Sebring, FL. He was 81. Born August 15, 1933, in Millington, MD, Donald was the son of the late Ralph P. and Gladys Moore Walls. He graduated from Centreville High School in 1952 and married the former Ruth Ann Chance November 8, 1952. He lived his entire life in Centreville, raising his family and remaining a loyal friend to many in his hometown. Shortly after high school Donald began working as a carpenter until 1954 but continued his love for carpentry throughout his life including building the family home. He then embarked on a 41-year career with Maryland Highway Administration. Beginning as a Road Construction inspector, Donald was then promoted to Survey Engineer and worked on many projects that took him throughout Maryland. He took pride in his involvement and oversight on a great number of new highways, overpasses, and special projects travelled by many, even today. He retired as a Special Project Engineer in 1995. Donald was a past member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Goodwill Fire Company, Easton and Bay Country Moose Lodges, Centreville United Methodist Church and Caroline Country Club. A gifted athlete, Donald was well-known for his talents in all sports while in school, continuing to play soccer and baseball in men’s leagues throughout the Eastern Shore for many years. A highlight for Donald was pitching in a game with his father, Ralph, as the catcher. The team was sponsored by the owner of the Philadelphia Athletics. Donald’s talents grabbed the eyes of many scouts that resulted in his being drafted by the Washington Senators. In November 2014, he was inducted into the Eastern Shore Baseball Hall of Fame, an honor he was especially proud. Donald was an avid hunter, coordinating many hunting trips to Western Maryland for pheasant as well as annual deer hunting with lifelong friends. Golf soon became a passion for Donald which he enjoyed until 2014 due to declining health. His love of sports, especially golf, was passed on to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He played golf, watched golf, and talked golf. Some of his fondest memories were playing putt-putt in later years with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Since retiring, Donald and Ruth Ann traveled to all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and all provinces and territories of Canada, an accomplishment about which he loved to tell stories and share photos. They soon became “snowbirds” for the sun and warmer weather in Lake Placid, FL, where Donald enjoyed golfing and reading his daily papers on the sunporch. In his later years he took pride in his wildflower gardens and spent countless hours organizing his family genealogy. His greatest joy was his family and was so grateful to be able to attend their sports games, concerts, plays and go on family vacations with them. Donald is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ruth Ann; children: Lynne (Alex), Steve (Dee) and Mark (Donna); six grandchildren, Kyle (Sarah), Jason (Teresa), Brett (Kaitlin), Kate (Colin), Shanna (John), Zach (Lisa); nine great-grandchildren, Aaron, Caroline, Aubrey, Wyatt, Braylon, Ty, Liv, Camden, Hudson; brother, Jerry Walls; sister-in-law Ethel Mae Cronshaw (Tom); and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Visitation will be held Sunday, April 5, 5:00-7:00 p.m. with Memorial Service on Monday, April 6, 11:00 a.m. at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., Centreville, MD. Memorial donations may be made to Centreville High School Alumni Association, c/o Jane Coppage, 935 Coon Box Road, Centreville, MD, 21617 and Centreville United Methodist Church, 608 Church Hill Rd, Centreville, MD, 21617.

Donald Ralph Walls

August 15, 1933 - March 30, 2015