Obituary of Larry Waller

Life Legacy Larry Waller, D. Min., Retired Lamar County Sheriff, age 69, of Barnesville passed away Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at his residence. Born in Griffin, to the late Mr. James Carl “J.C.” Waller and the late Mrs. Annie Ludie Whiddon Waller, he was also preceded in death by a brother, Mr. Harry Waller. Larry began his career with Southern Bell Telephone Company in 1965. During his career with the telephone company, he held jobs in Griffin, Carrolton, Rome, Newnan, Columbus, and Atlanta. Larry was a 3-term Sheriff in Lamar County after retiring from AT&T in 1988. He was Past President of the Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes, and was a co-owner of Waller Transport and Home Builders Rental Properties. He was a Life Deacon and long time Sunday School Teacher at the First Baptist Church of Barnesville. Larry was a long-term member of the Barnesville Masonic Bodies, being a Past Master of Pinta Lodge #88 and a Past High Priest of Mystic Chapter #51. He earned his Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Georgia, his Masters of Public Administration from Georgia College & State University, and then earned his Doctorate in Christian Counseling at age 66. He taught Criminal Justice at Gordon State College, and was Dean of Criminal Justice and Forensic Science at Appalachian Technical College. He was most recently the Administrator of the Towaliga Judicial Circuit Accountability Court. Through his years of Community Service, he co-wrote the first school safety plan and started the Public Service Leadership Academy which evolved into the ROTC program at Lamar County Comprehensive High School. Along with local judges, he re-structured the Accountability Court and began the first CASA in Lamar County. Since then, the drug court has grown exponentially and many lives have been changed. Larry was recently ordained by the First Baptist Church as a Christian Counselor. Additionally, he was a strong supporter of Little Children of the World. Larry spent his entire life trying to make a difference in Jesus’ name. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Glenna Houk Waller; and his children, David and Tammy Wright Waller, Jody and Melanie Waller Foster; and special adopted daughter, Marie Lou (& David) Abbott; and grandchildren, Brittany and Jake Foster, Brannon, Carlyn, and Lane Waller, Betsy Gladden, Elizabeth Farmer, Steven Straka, and Alex Abbott; his brother, Buddy (& Bobbie Carol) Waller; and a sister-in-law, Joyce Waller. Funeral Services for Sheriff Larry Waller will be conducted Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 2 O’Clock in the Lamar County Fine Arts Center. Interment will follow in the Waller Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening (2-13-2015) from 5pm until 8pm in the First Baptist Church of Barnesville. In Lieu of flowers, the family has asked that Memorial Contributions be made to Little Children of the World, 333 Sims Street, Barnesville, GA 30204 (www.littlechildren.org) in order to continue his legacy of helping people. Those who wish may view the Memorial Page and sign the Guestbook online at: www.williamsfh.net Williams Funeral Home of Barnesville is in charge of arrangements. (770) 358-1678