Thomas Robert Wall III

THOMAS ROBERT WALL III died peacefully on January 23rd, 2026, in Sarasota, Florida, where he lived for the last twenty years. He was 94. Tom was born in Saint Joseph, Missouri, on August 11th, 1931, to Thomas Robert Wall Jr. and Irene (Reenie) Moser Wall. Growing up in St. Joseph, he spent many wonderful afternoons and weekends with his grandparents, Thomas and Mary Wall. Tom attended the Choate School in Wallingford, Connecticut, where his five children and four of his grandchildren would follow. He attended Washington and Lee University, where he played on the varsity golf team and joined the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. After graduating in 1954, he served in the U.S. Army in Europe. Tom finished his education at New York University, earning a master's degree in business administration.Tom returned to St. Joseph and worked his way through the ranks at Townsend and Wall department store, eventually succeeding his father as President. He enjoyed representing the store in Frederick Atkins, Inc., a national marketing and consulting group of about 40 top department stores, which brought Tom to New York City twice a year and annually to The Homestead, in Hot Springs, Virginia. Tom married Julia Dorothy Ingersoll in 1957, and they raised five children in St. Joseph. Tom was involved in his community through the Chamber of Commerce, St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, and St. Joseph Country Club, where he had a regular golf foursome with longtime friends. Facing a nationwide decline in downtown areas, and after unsuccessful urban renewal efforts, Tom made the difficult decision to sell the family business in 1979 and move the family to Bermuda, where he became the Chief Merchandise Officer for Trimingham's, a beloved Bermuda department store. Tom and his family enjoyed 18 years in Bermuda. He found a valuable use for his management expertise in the Bermuda government. He served as Executive Director of the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation for ten years, which helped small and mid-sized businesses with loans and advice. He next served as Chief Executive Officer of the Bermuda Housing Corporation, which managed the country's housing initiatives. By leading two national agencies, Tom met and assisted many Bermudians who needed the government's help to start a business or improve their housing. Tom continued his community involvement as a member of the Hamilton Lion's Club, volunteering with Big Brothers, and as a guide at the Bermuda Botanical Gardens. He played golf at Mid Ocean Club, where he enjoyed successfully competing for the Freisenburg Cup. In 1997, Tom and Julie moved to Williamsburg, Virginia.Tom moved to Florida when the marriage ended.Tom married Linda Bailey in 2008. They met on a cruise, and continued to enjoy cruises throughout their 18 happy years together in the Sarasota area. Tom played golf into his 90s. He was a supportive and non-judgmental parent, father-in-law and grandparent. He was a treasured guest at graduations, family events, and the weddings of grandchildren, where he shared in the laughter, good cheer, and late nights. Tom was predeceased by his parents and a sister Beverly, who died as a child. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Linda, and his children Tom (Nancy), New York, N.Y.; Josh (Duby McDowell), Cambridge, Mass.; Chris (Gretchen Young), Stonington, Conn.; Jon (Ashley), Greensboro, N.C.; and Cinda Ball (Curt), New Hope, Pa.; as well as his eleven grandchildren (Kelsey, T.R., Natalie, Catherine, Charlie, Caroline, Aubrey, Avery, Sophie, Amalie, and Lily) and two great grandchildren (Michael and Sarah). The family is planning a memorial service. Online condolences are welcome at https://obituaries.nationalcremation.com/obituaries/sarasota-fl/thomas-wall-12724133