F. Wesley Walls

F. Wesley Walls

Wesley Walls died on Friday, June 29th 2012 in Shoreline at age 96. He was born near Yale, Oklahoma on April 23, 1916. Wesley attended Central College and then Greenville College where he met Elizabeth Pickering. They were married on October 17, 1937 at Waterloo, Iowa. Soon after, Wesley was ordained as a minister. He had a pastorate for several years before he decided to become a teacher.

When the United States entered World War II, Wesley volunteered for the Army as a Chaplain. He served in the Asian-Pacific theatre from 1945-1947 in Okinawa, the Philippines and Japan. During the Korean Conflict, 1950-1952, Wesley served again as a Chaplain.

Wesley obtained a doctorate in Political Science in 1955 from the University of Washington. He taught Political Science at Seattle Pacific College (now University) for 40 years. In 1965, he received a Fulbright grant for a lengthy visit to India with other educators. He was the first director of the SPU School of Business, Administration and Management. He retired in 1979. Then, Wesley and Elizabeth had time for more world travels. Wesley continued to be a student of world religions and political systems.

Wesley is survived by Viola (widow of son, Forrest), Burton (Ralene), and Francine. His grandchildren are Ryan, Aaron (Renee), Chris (Abby), Preston (Ashleigh), and Anne (Nick). His great-grandchildren are Riley, Keira, Luke, Camden and Meryl.

Wesley is predeceased by Elizabeth, his wife of 69 years who died in 2005. His son, Forrest, died in 2009; his daughter, Sylvia, died in 2008. A memorial service will be held at the First Free Methodist Church, Seattle, on Sunday, July 29 at 3PM. Reception following. He will be interred at the Evergreen-Washelli cemetery. Donations may be made to the F. Wesley and Elizabeth Walls Scholarship Fund at Seattle Pacific University, 3307 3rd Ave West, Seattle WA 98119, (206)-281 2000.