Waller Staples Hairston

Waller Staples Hairston passed away November 23, 2024 after 88 years as a loving husband, beloved father, and committed community volunteer. Waller was born October 3, 1936 to Samuel Hairston and Sallie (Staples) Hairston, and grew up outside Danville, Virginia. He met his future wife of 58 years, Eleanor Buell Bartlett of Birmingham, AL, at a Christian education conference at Kanuga Conference Center, which became a favorite family gathering place. He graduated from University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce and Navy ROTC in 1958. Waller and Eleanor married just after their college graduations on June 14, 1958. Waller proudly served over 4 years of active duty in the US Navy, earning his law degree at night school along the way, and retired as Commander after 22 years of reserve duty. Waller devoted his professional life to the practice of law and pursuit of fairness, based in Easton, MD. He was a member of the Maryland Bar Association and handled a wide variety of cases, practicing trial law in courts throughout Maryland. Waller was a founding board member for the Chesapeake Center in Easton, serving 50 years to improve opportunities for adults with disabilities. He served in numerous other community volunteer positions and boards, including the Town of Easton’s Ethics Commission, election volunteer, Planning Commission, and more, cheerfully enjoying the Town’s holiday turkey as his recompense. Waller cherished his network of friends from groups including the Hairston Clan, Military Officers Assoc. of America, Loophole Law Club, and YMCA tennis. Waller and Eleanor were active members of Christ Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Easton, which he supported in various roles over the decades, including Warden, Vestry, and Convention representative. Waller’s genuine care for others, loyalty, sense of public service, and his ready smile were valued by all those who knew him. Waller was a devoted family man with a love of the outdoors and curiosity about the world. Summer vacations with the kids included car camping trips across the US, discovering the magnificent variety of our country. He and Eleanor explored Canada, England, Scotland, and Alaska together. He had a passion for cars, good maintenance, and DIY repairs, adventures in themselves often shared with his children. From his rural roots, he had a deep love and appreciation for wildlife, whether it was red-tail hawks, geese, deer and even squirrels. He prized the gatherings of family and friends, always appreciative of good food and great company. Waller is survived by four children - Allen Hairston (Gail), William Hairston (Susy), Anne Hairston-Strang (Ray Strang) and Sallie Miller (Joe), and eight grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his parents, his wife Eleanor Hairston, brother Samuel Hairston, and sister Sallie Bullock. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Chesapeake Center, Inc. of Easton MD at PO Box 1906, Easton, MD 21601 (https://www.chesapeakecenter.org/donate.html )or the National Hairston Clan, Inc. Scholarship Program at https://www.nationalhairstonclan.org/scholarship/. Visitation will be held Friday, Dec. 20, 2024 from 6 to 8pm at the Fellow, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home, 200 S. Harrison St., Easton. His Memorial Service will be Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 at 11am at Christ Church Easton at 111 S. Harrison St., Easton, MD 21401.

Waller Staples Hairston

October 3, 1936 - November 23, 2024