Herman W. Walls, veteran, Verizon retiree
Herman “Skip” W. Walls, 75, passed away peacefully Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes.
Skip was born Aug. 6, 1948, to Herman and Josephine (Peco) Walls in Wilmington and lived there for most of his life. However, he fulfilled a lifelong dream of living at the beach by moving to Lewes in 1992, where he had many aunts, uncles and cousins. He graduated from Salesianum High School in 1966 and served proudly and honorably in the U.S. Navy on board the USS WASP. He worked for 30 years at Diamond State Telephone Company/Bell Atlantic as an account executive and retired as an engineer with Verizon. After retiring, Skip went on to a second career as a real estate agent with Prudential Gallo Realty in Lewes.
Skip enjoyed driving his truck on the beach and surf-fishing for hours. He was a diehard Eagles and Phillies fan who lived for Sundays watching games with his son, Joe. Skip enjoyed cooking delicious Italian food the way his mother taught him and was the best at making chicken and dumplings like his dad’s family. He was a certified sailor, and enjoyed boating and bird hunting in his younger years. He was a ferocious reader, a quick wit and the life of the party. Skip could make friends anywhere he went. He met his wife, Maria, when they were only 16, and they were married for 55 happy years. He lived for her, his kids, and his grandson.
Skip was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Josephine; and his younger brother, Doug Walls. Along with his loving wife, Maria, Skip is survived by his son, Joseph Walls; his daughter, Stacy Walls Bartkowski, son-in-law, Matt Bartkowski; grandson, Samuel Bartkowski; brother, Chuck Walls and his wife Claudia; nephew, Stephen Walls and his wife Tina; niece, Susan Walls and her partner Jonathan; niece, Christine Ruggio-Varipappa, her husband Micheal, and family; nephew, Tony Neville and his wife Sheryll, and family; as well as many other cousins, family members, and friends.
A private memorial service will be held at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro. A celebration of Skip’s life will be held at a later date.
Skip’s family would like to thank everyone at Beebe Healthcare, especially those who were there at the end, and the EMTs who have eased Skip’s burdens over the last few years.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Skip's memory to Beebe Medical Foundation, 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958; or donations can be made to the American Lung Association or American Heart Association.
Online condolences can be made by visiting melsonfuneralservices.com.
