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.