Homegoing Celebration Of Life SUNSET
SUNRISE
December 9, 2020
March 20, 1938
LINWOOD WALLER Monday, December 21, 2020 1:00 pm Maury Cemetery Richmond, VA Rev. Bruce Waller, Sr. Officiant Pastor Leo Hackett, Jr. Eulogist
ORDER OF SERVICE Pastor Leo Hackett, Jr. Elohim Christian Outreach Center Invocation…...…….…...Pastor Leo Hackett, Jr. Scripture Readings…..First Lady Cynthia Waller Old Testament ………Psalm 23 New Testament …….John 14:3 Prayer of Comfort……….Pastor Leo Hackett, Jr. Reading of the Obituary………The Triple A’s Granddaughters: Amir Massenburg Ambria Ingram Asia Ingram Reflections…………………..….Bruce Waller, Jr. Song Selection…………………..…..Chris Waller “The Lord’s Prayer” Eulogy……………………Pastor Leo Hackett, Jr. Benediction……...………Pastor Leo Hackett, Jr. ***** Interment ***** Maury Cemetery
O
HIS LEGACY
n March 20, 1938 in Halifax, County, Virginia, Harry Linwood Waller, Sr., was born to the late Jezebel and Willie Waller. He grew up with 7 brothers and sisters: Raymond Poindexter (D), Kenny Poindexter (D), Kathleen Lee(aka Bootsie, D), Virginia Wade (aka Jenny, D), Patricia Waller, Annie Jane Green and Willie Waller, Jr.(aka SugaMan). He attended Armstrong High School and was a member of Saint Paul’s Baptist Church, Richmond, VA, under the leadership of Dr. Lance D. Watson. Harry, respectfully known as Mr. Waller and affectionately revered as Pop or Pop Waller, lived a FULL LIFE of 82 years. He was a husband, a great father, grandfather, brother, friend, entrepreneur, innovator, creator….and great story teller. He retired from Reynolds Metal and was the owner of Standard Market, Walco Contracting Company and Alfa Audio. At the age of 17, he met the love of his life, Ruth Mae Fisher. One of the stories he loved to tell was from their early dating years of how Ruth would walk up and grab him by the hand and confidently announce to everyone, “I’m with him.” He told that story at least once a year, with a huge smile and laughter: taking moments to stick his chest out and tease his wife, as she would adamantly deny his version of the story. But it was true; she was with him and he was with her and 64 years later, they were not only found still together but still holding one another’s hand. Harry Waller was big on Love & Commitment. Among many nuggets of wisdom he left with us, was what he shared in his last few hours. He said, “Take care of your marriage. A good marriage is one of the most important things.” …. 64 GOOD Years, Y’all! When it was time to have children, Harry always said he wanted 5 boys to make up his own band so they could sing for him. He had a passion for music. He was even a singer in a 5 guy group
called,The Quintones. Well, together Ruth and Harry had 5 children but of the five, 2 were girls. In fact, he referred to his 2 girls as the “icing on the cake”; thus, the birth of The Fantastic Waller Family Band. He loved them hard and trained them hard. The LOOK, SOUND, SHOWMANSHIP! He was the mastermind and energy that spearheaded their career, taking them from their basement to stages in and around the globe - 45 states, 2 countries – Santo Domingo, Canada 5 times and Hawaii twice. They became the #1 show band on the east coast and was presented with the Proclamation from the City of Richmond. He was ICONIC…A TRAILBLAZER! To work with him, you had to have thick skin. He gave his best and expected the same. He changed the game for bands that came in the door after him. He was a fair man and was not one to accept unfair treatment. He was brassy, aggressive, soft hearted and loving all in one - always looking out for the person who just needed someone to believe in them and give them a chance. He was a hardworking, kind and an honorable man, who believed in getting things done. But of all his accomplishments, his greatest was his family. He poured into them the richness of his heart and the lessons learned from his life experience. Every thought, decision, every breath, every new business endeavor, all that he ever did was with his family in mind.
Left to cherish his memories and proudly carry on his legacy is his devoted wife, Ruth Waller, his 5 children: Harry Waller, Jr. (Pat), Christopher Waller, Sandra Waller-Massenburg (Larry), Karen Waller-Ingram (Anthony), Bruce Waller (Cynthia); a devoted adopted son, Michael Boyd; 14 grandchildren: Erika, Jessica, Chris, The Triple A’s (Amir, Ambria & Asia), Candace, BJ, Brandon, Shammah, Danielle, Meme, Michael and Denzell; 8 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and life long friends.
Harry, My Love You will NEVER die I’VE LIVED 64 blessed years with You supporting me in anything I Wanted To do. You were the ROCK of This FAMILY. We ALL LOVE you so Very much You will be missed. God Bless You. Until we see each other Again……
Your Loving Wife, Ruth
A LETTER TO OUR FATHER Daddy, Truly, Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at 8:30pm was a sad day for us. We watched you take your last breath on this side. We watched you fight, as you always did for us, to stay with us a little longer, to make sure we would be ok. Your mind was still sharp and strong as ever but your body was tired and God knew best. As we stood around your bedside, you made us laugh, we cried and we sang as you cracked the whip, once again, directing us in your last song request, “I BELIEVE IN YOU”. Changing the lyrics and creating a new arrangement, you clearly instructed us, “Now sing it like this!” “Now put emphasis on this part!” There’s nobody like you, Daddy. Our hearts feel broken and our family feels like it’s missing a major piece. But God is good and we are blessed. For we know that you have deposited so much in every one of us that will continue to help mend our hearts over time and shape our lives, our children’s lives and the lives of those we touch. We know that you did all that you were put here to do for us and that it is now our turn to take it from here. We will miss you but know you are with us ALWAYS. Heaven, surely has received a CHAMPION! WE LOVE YOU, DADDY. AND WE THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BELIEVING IN US.
Pallbearers Bruce Waller, Jr. (BJ) James Taylor (Petey) Anthony Ingram Chris Waller Gary Smith Ron Taylor Honorary Pallbearer Larry Massenburg Flower Bearers Granddaughters ACKNOWLEGEMENTS The family would like to thank you for your gestures of kindness during this difficult time. It has truly made a difference and we appreciate you. God Bless You and STAY SAFE….
Scott’s Funeral Home 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd. Richmond, Virginia Layout and Design Grover C. Massenburg