RALPH LEE WALLER

January 27, 1918 - June 23, 2011

Longtime Merced Resident Ralph Lee Waller passed away on June 23rd of 2011 in a Merced Hospital. He was born in Judsonia, Arkansas. Mr. Waller came to Merced with his parents and siblings back in June of 1936. He worked at Cal Pac in Planada and also worked 2 years for the CC Camps in the Yosemite Park until he joined the Army. Mr. Waller is a POW Army Veteran of World War II and also a survivor of the Baatan Death March over in Corregidor, Philippines.

While stationed in Stuttgart, Germany Mr. Waller met and married his wife of 50 years, Lotte Elly Waller, on May 4th of 1957. Mrs. Waller passed on October 5, 2007.

After retiring from the military in 1962, Mr. Waller came back to Merced to make his home. Mr. Waller worked as a Bus Driver and Custodian for Plainsburg School, Le Grand Elementary and Merced Head Start until his retirement in 1981.

Mr. Waller had a love of the outdoors, camping and boating were among his favorite. His passion was woodworking which he did all the way up into his nineties.

He is preceded in death by his parents Vernon and Jessie Waller and sisters Faye Williams, Bobby Waller, Vera Wood and Joyce Waller.

Mr. Waller is survived by a brother Dale Waller of Atwater, his children Geary Waller and wife Debbie of Atwater, Margret Eastom and husband Greg of Merced, Glen Waller and companion Connie Hosburgh of Merced, his grandchildren Travis Waller of Merced, Glen Waller Jr. and wife Whitney of Sulphur Springs, TX, Tyler Waller of Merced, Josh Eastom and wife Sarah of 29 Palms and Kristen Eastom of Merced, also surviving is a great-granddaughter Ashlyn Waller of Sulphur Springs, TX.

A graveside service to honor Mr. Waller will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, June 27th of 2011 at the Merced District Cemetery in Merced, CA.

All funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ivers & Alcorn Funeral Home located at 901 West Main Street-Merced, CA or you may call 1-209-722-6201 for further information.