Hendersonville, North Carolina
Apr 15, 1945 – Jun 17, 2015 (Age 70)
HENDERSONVILLE - Larry Benjamin Walp, age 70, died at home in Hendersonville on June 17, 2015 after a lengthy illness.
Larry was born of Benjamin Ira Walp and Jessie May Hatley on April 15, 1945, in Oak Ridge, TN and spent his formative years in Dearborn, MI. College was interrupted by the Vietnam War, where he served in the Army 4th Infantry Division, achieving the rank of Captain and was awarded the Silver Star. Following college graduation he found employment with General Motors where he was a sales manager for the Truck and Coach Division. Shortly after employment with GM he met his wife Carol and raised their family in the Detroit area, St. Louis, MO and Denver, CO over a 31 year career. A post retirement search for a warmer climate led to settlement in Hendersonville. Here he was able to pursue his life-long hobbies of fly fishing, fly tying, golfing, bird hunting, hiking and woodworking. Larry was highly regarded by friends and family as a generous, humble, compassionate, and above all, loyal person. For the people who knew him well, he was known for his humorous phrases (a.k.a. "Larryisms"), jokes, storytelling and his love of classic movies with happy endings.
He is survived by his wife, Carol J. Walp, sons Todd Chapman, Matthew Walp, and Michael Walp, daughter Amy Chapman and seven grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters Barbara Hill and Shirley Damer, and brother Earl Walp.
Memorial services and burial will take place in his home state of Michigan in the coming weeks.
An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of the arrangements.
Larry's name and his friendship and the good times we all shared with him as Lifeguards at Camp Dearborn come up every time the guys get together. Memories of those good times and friends
like Larry will never fade.
JAN SZYMCZAK
June 15, 2019 | Hastings, MI | Friend
Carol, just found out Larry died. So, so sorry. My God your Matt looks like him. Thinking of you. Penny
Penny Cass
September 01, 2018 | Bay City, MI | Friend
Larry was a natural born leader he set the example we all strived to attain. His family always came first ,he will be missed by all those who came into contact with him , God Bless his soul and grant him eternal rest Semper Fi from a Marine buddy who will always remember him
John CojocarS
July 07, 2015 | Sterling Heights, MI
Larry was one of the congenial, honorable men I've ever known. May he rest in piece forever in this country he so loved and for which he fought so bravely.
Norris McDowell
July 01, 2015 | Hendersonville, NC
We all remember Larry from a time years ago. A good friend,
ready to help in any way he could, dedicated, professional in his approach. A friendly smile for everyone. We all will miss our Brother........ Camp Dearborn Lifeguards
June 25, 2015
Carol,
I also worked with Larry in the Northeast Zone and in Pontiac as well. He was an amazing person. His strength to keep going is something I admire. I know he is in a better place.
Pete Maguire
June 24, 2015 | Oak Creek, WI
Carol, I worked with Larry while he was in the Northeast Zone and as he went through the surgery and chemo treatment. He was such an inspiration for his bravery and determination to survive. I also love how he kept his sense of humor; when I asked how many more surgeries he had to go through, he said, "I guess it really doesn't matter, since my wife said I was never that good looking anyway."
May you find peace knowing that he fought a great fight and is in a better place now.
Barb Frank
June 23, 2015 | Oakland Township, MI
Thinking of you. I remember him when he was hiking with the Pisgah Hikers.
Helen Young
June 22, 2015 | Horse Shoe, NC
I remember Uncle Larry very well. He brought me dolls from Vietnam when I was a little girl; family visits in Tennessee. He will be missed and we thought about how everyone was doing. Love and sympathy to all.
Elizabeth Newsome(Walp)- Earl's oldest daughter.
June 22, 2015 | Fort Wayne, IN
