Walter John Walla, 77, of Joaquin, passed away Sunday, September 6, 2015, in Tyler.

 

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 9, 2015, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in 

 

Center with Bro. David Long and Bro. Luke Garrett officiating. Interment will follow at Jackson Cemetery in 

 

Joaquin.

 

Mr. Walla was born January 24, 1938, in Staten Island, New York, to Walter John Walla, Sr. and Martha Ruzycka 

 

Walla.  In 1963, he graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. He 

 

furthered his education at Texas A&M University, where he earned both a Master of Science degree on May 23, 

 

1970, and his Doctor of Philosophy on December 11, 1971.  Mr. Walla served as County Agent, Specialist, 

 

Assistant Director and Deputy Chancellor for Agriculture at the Texas Agricultural Extension Services of the Texas 

 

A&M University System until August 12, 1989, after twenty-eight years of service.  He later served as Associate 

 

Dean and Director of the Kentucky Agriculture Extension Service of the University of Kentucky System until June 

 

30, 2001.  Mr. Walla was the winner of National Distinguished Service Ruby Award in Agriculture Leadership. He 

 

was a member of Epsilon Sigma Phi, National Honorary Extension Fraternity and a member of Gamma Sigma 

 

Delta, Honorary Society of Agriculture.  Mr. Walla was instrumental in authoring the Agricultural Research 

 

Extension Education Reform Act (better known as the Farm Bill) which was passed by the U.S. House and Senate.  

 

He was invited to and was present at the signing of the Farm Bill by President Bill Clinton in the White House 

 

Rose Garden.  Mr. Walla was a former Chairman of Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) and 

 

Editor of the ECOP Initiative.  He received the Texas Agriculture Service Award and Soybean Disease Worker’s 

 

Leadership Award. Mr. Walla was a member of Texas A&M University 12th Man Foundation, Century Club and 

 

Association of Former Students.  He was a loyal Aggie, with season football tickets for forty-four years. Mr. Walla 

 

was also a member of Jackson Baptist Church in Joaquin.

 

He is survived by

 

Wife: Jo Ann Lewis Walla of Joaquin, Texas

 

Daughter: Jamie Richardson and husband, Mark, of Amarillo, Texas

 

Grandchildren:

 

Ryan Mark Richardson and wife, Katarina Richardson, of Charlotte, North Carolina

 

Robert Michael Richardson of Kingsville, Texas

 

Jennifer Richardson and husband, Jonathan Brown, of Sinton, Texas

 

Mother-in-law: Mary C. Lewis of Joaquin, Texas

 

Sisters-in-law: 

 

Mary Koonce and husband, Bruce, of Center, Texas

 

Joyce Richards of Friendswood, Texas

 

Numerous nieces and nephews, whom he also dearly loved

 

Preceded in death by

 

Son: Walter James Walla

 

Parents: Walter John Walla, Sr. and Martha Ruzycka Walla

 

Sister: Jean Frost

 

Father-in-law: James E. Lewis

 

Brother-in-law: Steve Richards

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Jackson Baptist Church Building Fund or Jackson 

 

Cemetery Fund.