Dad - Lloyd Walls

Lloyd (Dad) holding LeRoy’s youngest sister, Donna. 

Photo by

  
Margaret Walls  

Written by 
LeRoy Walls 
CEO 

My Dad, Lloyd Walls, was one who was always sure where he was headed and how to get there. He lived in a "black and white" world where he was always sure of what was right and what was wrong. He wasn’t always right but he preferred to be. My kids say they can see some of that in me. Now my kids say that I live in a "black and white" world!

As a teenager when my wisdom soared to new heights. I did my best to bring Dad into the age where "gray" was also a possibility. Dad and I spent many a morning and evening in the barn red-faced at the top of our lungs reasoning things out. I always look back with pride on having contributed so much to Dad’s education!

Life on the farm was good. Sure, there were plenty of things in the Sears-Roebuck catalog that we didn’t have but we weren’t complaining. Our family had gone through a very tough time during the droughts of the early 1950’s. Dad, always the faithful provider, had to work in St. Louis for awhile. Mom and Keith, with help from Carolyn and me, shouldered the farm work then, drawing us closer together and giving us a greater appreciation for what we did have. Friends, relatives and a loving God provided help, compassion and assurance through this trying period.

In the mid 1950’s Dad began working in construction. Dad did all kinds of construction, but primarily did concrete work and laid blocks, bricks and stones. He helped build the shoe factory, Mid-American Dairymen additions, Sunny Hill Poultry plant and Mt. Pisgah church.

I learned a lot about construction working with Dad - - but learning the importance of attention to detail was perhaps even more important. Besides projects on the farm, Dad and I also built a barn, a house, and did several smaller construction projects. Working with Dad, I also learned a lot about life.

Dad and Mom celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 1997 and are both in good health.

12/31/1999