NEWS FROM THE HUT by John Hamilton

Bill Walls had a long history in Hominy as the owner of the Bill Walls Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Buick dealership for 30 years that Bill purchased from Cal Newport, a former American Legion Post 142 Commander (1948-1949). Bill was not a member of the American Legion but was still an honored veteran in the Hominy community.

Bill was born to Earl Lee Walls and Lela May (Mitchell) Walls on March 9,1932 and raised in Ralston, Oklahoma. After graduating high school in 1950, Bill went to work at Walls Motor Company in Ralston and attended Oklahoma State University (A&M) where he graduated with an Associate of Science Degree in Business. After graduating from A&M, Bill married the love of his life, Joyce Martin, on August 18, 1952 and they made their home in Ralston, Oklahoma.

Just like many other young men during WWII and Korea, Bill was drafted on December 7, 1955 and opted to enter the Navy during the Korean Conflict. Bill completed his active duty on August 30, 1957 and completed his Naval Reserve obligation on December 6, 1961 with an Honorable Discharge.

Three years after Bill’s discharge from the US Navy, Bill purchased the Hominy Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Buick dealership in 1964 from Cal Newport and moved his family to Hominy, Oklahoma. Bill operated his dealership in Hominy for 30 years and finally decided to retire in 1994 and Bill and Joyce began their long-awaited travel plans around the US in their motorhome and spending as much time as possible with their grandchildren.

Bill was a very private man and did not talk a lot about himself or participate in any type of public display that focused on him. Hominy Post 142 had tried for several years to get Bill to participate in the veteran’s celebration at the High School with the Indian Blanket Ceremony afterwards. Finally, in November of 2019, Bill’s family convinced him to participate. All the Legionnaires at Post142 were honored and proud of Bill’s participate.

Sadly, Bill Walls passed away in Tulsa, Oklahoma on January 31, 2021 at the age of 88.

Until further notice, our regular Legion meeting will be the third Thursday of each month. Due to current weather issues our next meeting will be on Thursday, February the 25th. at 7:00 PM. The Sons of the American Legion meetings have been suspended until further notice, depending on the future COVID-19 situation. All dinners have been cancelled until further notice. The Monday morning Koffee Klatch meetings have been postponed as well for the same reason. If you are a veteran, come by for our monthly meeting, and if you have a good story, it may end up in print. Also keep up with us at the Post 142 website “americanlegion142.org” and Hominy Legion on Facebook.