William Wallace VanWert

William Wallace (Wally) VanWert, 84, of Ormond Beach passed away on October 23, 2015 at home. He was born in Summit, New Jersey on March 16, 1931 to Mae and William VanWert, raised in Florham Park, NJ and graduated from Madison High School. He was employed by the Western Electric Co. as a Section Chief, retired from there after 30 years of service and with his wife, Joan relocated to this area. During the early fifties he had a brief involvement in short track stock car racing. He raced at NASCAR sanction short tracks in New Jersey and was by all accounts one of the pioneers of Northern short track racing. He wrote a book about his short track career. Wally was very interested in genealogy and spent many hours researching his family history. He was a perfectionist and a "Jack of all trades". Over 50 years ago he was accepted into the Masonic fraternity and subsequently became a Shiner. He belonged to the Field Music Unit, was a drummer in the band and participated in many parades. He served in the U.S. Navy Reserves and was a member of the Madison NJ 1465 and Ormond Beach 2193 Elks Lodges, Ormond Beach Fraternal Order of Eagles, Bunnell Masonic Lodge 200, The Victory Lane Racing Club and the Telephone Pioneers He is preceded in death by his parents, Mae & William VanWert, sister, Helen MacKenzie, brother-in-law, William MacKenzie, brother-in-law, Fred Flathman, brother-in-law, Floyd Flathman, niece, Patsy Wagner and survived by his wife of 51 years, Joan, sister, Harriet Green, sister-in-law, Carol Flathman, four nieces and five nephews. He was close to his nephew, Richard MacKenzie. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 5th at 11:00 AM at Lohman's Funeral Home with burial at Volusia Memorial Park at a later date. Visitation will take place between 10:30 and 11:00. Online condolences may be shared at www.lohmanfuneral homes.com. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a charity of your choice.