James A. Walley

Jim Walley, 87, died 9-20-11 at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. He was born Dec. 19, 1923 to Ola and Clifton Walley in Keokuk, IA, the youngest of six children. His boyhood home was Hannibal, MO. and his high school days were spent in Chillicothe, MO. He was married to Donna Jean Meador on July 6, 1945. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, and one sister.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Donna Walley of Jonesboro; two daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Charles Harris of Jonesboro and Anne and Jim Hawley of Sacramento, CA . He also leaves two grandchildren: Jennifer Bell and her husband Wallace Bell, Sr. of Memphis, TN, and John Hawley of Sacramento. In addition, he leaves two great grandchildren, Wallace Bell, Jr. and Caroline Bell of Memphis.

Jim was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, having served as a Deacon,
and Sunday School teacher for many years. He was also chairman of the 1969 Building Committee for the Education Building of the church.

In World War II, Jim enlisted in the Marine V-12 Program while finishing his sophomore year at Central Methodist College at Fayette, MO. He started his Marine career in the V-12 Program at Purdue Univ. on July 1, 1943, followed by Boot Camp at Parris Island, SC, then pre-OCS at Camp Lejeune, NC, and then to Officers Candidate School (OCS) at Quantico, VA. He graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant on July 4, 1945, and was sent to Marine Base at Camp Pendleton near Oceanside, CA where the Marine Sixth Division was being formed to invade Japan. When WWII came to an abrupt end, he finished his active duty at the San Diego Marine Base.

After WWII, he returned to Purdue to finish his education, graduating in 1947, with a
BS Degree in Electrical Engineering. Following graduation, he was hired by the Motor Division of General Electric Co., where he worked for 38 years, both in Fort Wayne, IN and Jonesboro. At the Jonesboro Plant, he was Manager of Engineering & Quality Control.
After retirement, he was a part-time instructor in the ASU Engineering School from 1985-1997.

Jim was active in sports---particularly basketball, football, and golf. At Central Methodist, he played on a MCAU Conference Championship Basketball Team that competed in the national tournament for NAIA schools in Kansas City. At Purdue, he played both basketball and football. He was twice runner-up to the Jonesboro Country Club golf championship.

In his younger years, he served in a variety of roles and responsibilities in the Jonesboro community: President of Rotary Club, 1971-72; President, Jonesboro School Board, 1966; President, Jonesboro Country Club, 1959; Board of Directors for the following Jonesboro community organizations: Jonesboro Public Schools, Rotary Club, United Way, Salvation Army, City Water & Light, and Country Club.

Visitation will be Friday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Emerson Funeral Home. The Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Bruce Tippit officiating. A private burial service will be held at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery.

Lasting memorials can be made to the First Baptist Building Fund, 701 S. Main, Jonesboro.