Published on April 26, 2025 6:00 am
Last Updated on April 26, 2025 8:18 am
James “Dale” Walls, 73, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Thursday, April 24, 2025 at his home.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Burial will be in Watson Cemetery in Watson. Visitation will be held from 4:00p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to the family or St. Jude Children’sResearch Hospital. Online condolences may be shared at www.johnsonandsonsfh.com.
James “Dale” was born on January 7, 1952, in Flora, IL, the son of Melvin and Esther(Heidbreder) Walls. He married Donna “Pauline” Spiker McWhorter, and she survives.
Dale worked for Fedders for 39 years. He loved music and played since he was young. He was talented on the bass and the banjo, starting at 13 years old playing for Benny and the Amigos. Throughout his life, he also played with The Outfit, The Country Cut Ups, Rawhide, and Thunder Road. Dale also loved the outdoors and could often be found camping, fishing, deer hunting, and mushroom hunting. He also enjoyed bowling and golfing. Dale loved his family very much.
Dale is survived by his wife, Pauline Walls; sons, Jesse (Amanda) Walls and Joey Walls; step-sons, Rodney McWhorter (Brittany Apke) and Billy McWhorter (Kimberly Kortte); grandchildren, Georgia and Gemma; step-grandchildren, Clayton (Alyssa), Gabriel, Hailey, Wade, Macy, Coleman, and Bowen; step-great-grandchildren, Emberleigh and Lucas; and brother, Kenneth(Bertha) Walls.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John “Johnny” Walls; and nephew, Kenneth Walls Jr.