William C. Walling
December 01, 2016
On December 1, 2016, “Bill” Walling, 88, passed away and joined his wife Billie Jean (McCoy). He was born October 30, 1928 in Marshalltown, Iowa to parents George Washington Walling and Carrie A. (Bandfield). In 1945, Bill enlisted in the Marine Corp to serve in WWII. He served on the island of Samar in the Philippines. Bill was called back to action in 1951 to fight in Korea. Staff Sergeant Walling was wounded in a fierce battle on hill #812 and was honored with both the Silver Star for bravery and the Purple Heart. After he returned from Korea, he and Billie Jean were married on November 13, 1951.
The Walling’s settled down to raise three children on the east side of Des Moines. Bill was a foreman at Armstrong Tire & Rubber Company, missing only one day of work in 42 years. After retirement, he worked during the legislative sessions at the capital as the postmaster for the Iowa House of Representatives. He began working with Billie and then continued after her passing. Bill was a member of the Elks Lodge #98, the Isaac Walton League, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the American Legion, and the Korean Veterans Associations.
Together, he and Billie enjoyed family and friends. Time was spent playing cards or traveling across the U.S. and the world. Bill and Billie took their family on awesome adventures, crossing 4 continents and experiencing the magnificent sites they offered. He had a great love of sports that he passed on to his children. Bill cheered on the St. Louis Cardinals, the Green Bay Packers, the Iowa State Cyclones, the East High Scarlet’s, and swimmers.
Bill was a longtime member of Grant Park Christian Church prior to its closing in 2011. He then became a member of Bondurant Christian Church.
Bill is survived by his children: William Robert (Beth), Shari, John (Beth); grandchildren, William Andrew (Sarah), Carrie Marie Nimrod (Jake), Hannah Ellyse, Liam Rory, MaryKate McCoy, 4 great grandchildren, his half-sister Francis James Long, and many other dear family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife Billie Jean (McCoy), parents, step-father Benjamin Franklin James, adopted brother George D. Walling, and half-sister Mary Ellen James.
Friends may call on Monday, December 5th from 5:00-7:00pm at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines, Iowa. The funeral service will be conducted at Bondurant Christian Church, 305 Grant Street South, Bondurant, Iowa on Tuesday, December 6th, at 10:00am.
Memorial contributions will be used to create a scholarship in honor of Bill and Billie Walling at East High School.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Carol Butts Kline
12/07/2016
Shari, so very sorry to hear of the passing of your dear father. Thoughts & prayers to you and your family at this difficult time.
Matt Kenney
12/05/2016
To John and family: always enjoyed the visits to the Walling house. We made a few roadtrips from Ames to East Des Moines while in college together and Walling home was always open and welcoming. The conversations with Bill and Billie will always be remembered. Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time and my prayers go out to Bill and the entire family. God Bless.
Matt Kenney
The Quass Family
12/04/2016
We are sorry to hear of your loss. We are thinking of you all!. What a legacy he has left!
Irene and Gary Snuggs
12/03/2016
To all of the Walling family, our deepest sympathy to all of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you
Bob and Mary Miller
12/03/2016
Shari,
We were so sorry to hear about your dad. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You are so very special to our family. Much love and hugs to you.
Tim Warrick
12/03/2016
You are in our thoughts and prayers. We are all blessed to have your dad/grandpa our lives. What a wonderful impact he made on so many people.
Steven Fuller
12/02/2016
I send my deepest sympathies to the entire Walling family upon the passing of Papa Bear! A true patriot for his country and a loving father.
Ted & Teri Bishop
12/03/2016
So very sorry to hear of your loss. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you. May God give you peace and comfort.
Maribeth Dykstra, Senior Suites
12/02/2016
Frosty, Shari, John, and family,
Deepest sympathies in your time of loss. I greatly enjoyed knowing Bill while he lived at Senior Suites. I've often said that he was the kind of person everyone wanted to be around. So grateful for the opportunity to have known him if only for a short time. I always remember how proud he was of his kids and grand-kids. I loved the story of how Frosty got his nick-name. He was always telling me about how fantastic of a swim coach Shari is. Whenever we would talk about John he would always say he is his red-head boy. I hope that your family is comforted by warm memories as you are grieving. Blessing to you all and thank-you from all of us at Senior Suites for sharing your Dad with us. We loved him.
Dale Eeling
12/02/2016
I wish to extend my condolences to the friends and family of Bill, having known him for many years through work at Armstrong as well as a faithful member of the Elks.
God Bless,
Dale Eeling-Exalted Ruler Elks 98
Kay &a Bob Bullard
12/01/2016
We were co-workers and very good friends. God Bless your passing and your wonderful family. You and Billy are to gether for Christmas this year.