William Edward Waln

William Edward Waln
August 8, 1933-November 15, 2024
With profound sadness, we announce the passing of William E. Waln, aged 91, on November 15, 2024, holding the hand of his beloved wife, Donna, in his Windsor Park apartment. A retired Lieutenant Commander of the United States Navy, Bill devoted 26 years of his life to serving his country with honor and dedication. He loved Jesus and his family fiercely and stayed busy with many activities.
He was born on August 8, 1933 on Staten Island to Maysie and William Waln. The Waln legacy traces back to the first colonists and includes Quaker beliefs, an historical farm in PA, and Waln Street in Philadelphia - named after Nicholas Waln, an important player in Revolutionary politics.
When Billy was 4, they moved to Florida. In his early years, he excelled at math and loved baseball. He played the trumpet in the marching band, even performing in the Orange Bowl parade at the game in Miami. He excelled at bowling, swimming, and boxing (he competed as a 12 year old boxer as "Kingpin" William Waln). As a teen, he worked pumping gas, operating a soda fountain, setting pins in a bowling alley, setting type for the newspaper, putting up billboards, and delivering newspapers. Bill had memories of rationing in WWII and segregation/race relations during the Civil Rights era. After high school, he went to university to study chiropractic medicine and follow in his dad's footsteps.
Bill was a car aficionado as well and was proud of his many vehicles. His first car was a 1937 Ford, followed by many other fun ones. His favorites were his 1953 Studebaker Champion, and a 1963 MG-B convertible in which he dated wife Donna. Another favorite was a 1973 International Travellal which carried the young family from Alaska to Maryland, and his last car, a 2012 red Range Rover.
After graduating chiropractic school, the draft board loomed, so Bill embarked on an extraordinary journey of service, leadership, and exploration when he joined the Navy in 1955. His naval career took him across the country and across the globe, where he forged lifelong friendships and experienced the rich diversity of the world. His tour of Japan included a tidal wave, Aviation Medicine, and the bowling league. The assignment to Adak, Alaska resulted in hunting, more bowling, and a growing family. After Alaska, the family moved up and down the east coast, with the final post being in Great Lakes, IL. After retiring from the military, he returned to chiropractic and hospital administration in various roles, culminating in Dean of Postgraduate Education at National College of Chiropractic. Bill and Donna continued their travels, first criss-crossing the country with children in a camper, then taking Donna around the world with missions work and tourism, fueled by a deep curiosity and love for adventure.
Bill will be remembered for his wit, his intelligence, his locomotive-like snoring, and his deep love for his family. He found joy in bowling, golf, soapstone carving, and reading John Grisham novels and the daily newspaper. He grew a beard when he retired from the Navy and never shaved it. He was quite proud of that beard and even cancer never took it from him. All who knew him will remember his quiet steadfast love for God, his integrity and honor, and his honesty and service. When asked about his long life, he attributed it to "three things: my love for Jesus, excellent chiropractic adjustments, and beer. Plenty of all three!"
He is survived by wife Donna; sister Mary; children: Steven (Linda Joubert) Waln, Lisa (Jim) Bauman, Matthew (Amy) Waln, and Kathryn (Steve) Halla; grandchildren: Elliott, Lily, Jonathan, Joel, Lena, Camilla, Christopher, Phillip, Tessa, Evelyn, and Cora; and many dear friends and extended family members.
Visiting hours will be held from 4:00 until 5:00 pm, followed by a funeral service at 5:00 pm on Sunday, Nov. 24 at The Compass Church, Wheaton Campus, 520 E. Roosevelt Rd, Wheaton IL 60187. A video is available here: https://vimeo.com/1032907297/a3777ff670?share=copy
Interment will be held privately at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to https://joniandfriends.org/ or https://www.pwsausa.org/angel-drive-2024/.
Bill's legacy of service, love, and exploration will forever inspire all who knew and loved him.