Donald Walls, Sr.

Donald “Donny” E. Walls, Sr. passed away peacefully on October 30, 2021, at home in Globe, AZ after a long illness. He was born April 1, 1935, in Mifflinburg, son of the late Dayton L. and Dorothy (Scholl) Walls.

While growing up in Mifflinburg, Donny learned the craft of butchering at 14 years old, while working at a family friend’s Butcher Shop.  In 1952, at 17, he enlisted in the US Navy with his father’s written consent.  During his time in the US Navy, Seaman Walls earned his GED prior to being assigned to the USS Kent in Korea as a Boiler Operator, where he served until his transfer to the US Naval Reserve.

While on leave in 1954, he married Ruth Wohlheater.  Donald and Ruth had three sons, Donald E. Walls, Jr, David E. Walls, and John Walls.  After 52 years of marriage, Ruth passed away.

After his Honorable Discharge in 1956, Donny returned to Mifflinburg, where he worked for the American Car and Foundry Company (ACF) building trains. He was employed as a high wire electrician for the Borough of Mifflinburg, until his retirement.  He also ran his own Butcher Shop on the side and was a volunteer Ambulance Driver in Mifflinburg.

In 2007, Donny met and married Barbara Girvin. They remained in Mifflinburg until 2015, when they moved to Globe AZ.

Donny has been a revered Life Member of the VFW for many years at Post 1964, Mifflinburg, and at VFW Post 1704 in Globe, where he served on the Honor Guard and as Assistant Bar Manager until his health no longer permitted.

Surviving is his wife Barbara (Girvin) Walls (Globe AZ); sons Donald E. Walls, Jr. and David E. Walls (Mifflinburg, PA); four grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one brother; and five sisters and four brothers-in-law.

Donald is preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Ruth; and son John Walls, who died tragically at 21 after an accident in which his motorcycle was hit by a car.

A graveside service will be conducted at 1 p.m., Sunday, November 14th, at Mifflinburg Cemetery, with Pastor Butch Woolsey, officiating. Military honors will be accorded by American Legion Post 410 and VFW Post 1964, both of Mifflinburg.

Arrangements are by Roupp Funeral Home, Inc., 8594 Old Turnpike Rd., Mifflinburg.