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Wallis DeSpain Obituary

Wallis J. DeSpain
1920 – 2013

Wally was born August 7, 1920 in Utah, the eldest of three children to Lawrence and June DeSpain of Palos Verdes Estates. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jean Marie (Lindzey) DeSpain of Torrance whom he met in England while on leave from the U.S. Army during WWII. After the war, Wally came home with his new bride, settling in Nebraska while teaching engineering at the University. Their family grew to include a son, Michael and a daughter, Suzanne. By 1955, lonely for California and needing to help care for his own parents, Wally brought his family to the South Bay where he became a professor of Engineering at El Camino College in Torrance. During this time, Wally also indulged in his favorite hobby– building his wife's dream house – three times – in Palos Verdes Estates. After his retirement from El Camino in 1990 Wally and Jean spent their time between homes in Swindon, UK; Merced, Cambria and Torrance. Wally was predeceased by his beloved son, Michael and his sister, June McVey both of Torrance; and his sister, Beth Levitt of Utah. He is survived by his dear daughter, Suzanne; grandsons, Michael and David and several great-grandchildren. Not to leave El Camino College without a bequest, Wally left two nieces, Susan McVey Duncan and Sharon M. Van Enoo of Torrance as professors to carry on his love for serving students. For all those who wish to share memories with the family, services will be held at Green Hills Memorial Park, 27501 S. Western Ave., Rancho Palos Verdes, on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at 2:00 at the grave site. Visitation will be at Green Hills on Tuesday evening from 3:00 to 8:00. Please sign the guest book at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.

Published by Daily Breeze from Jul. 20 to Jul. 22, 2013.
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