Jerry Richard Walls

Jerry Richard Walls, 70, of Gainesville, Georgia, passed away on Friday, March 7, 2014. As he entered into Heaven, he was at his home, surrounded by his family who loved him dearly.

Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, March 10, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Gainesville First United Methodist Church. The Reverend Wendy Cordova will officiate. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. His family will receive friends at Memorial Park Funeral Home on Memorial Park Road on Sunday, March 9, 2014 from 2:00pm-4:00pm and 6:00pm-9:00pm.

Jerry was born in Hall County on November 21, 1943. He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. G.R. (Lila) Walls. Jerry was a retired Lieutenant with the Hall County Sheriff's Department.

Jerry began his career in law enforcement in 1966 with the Gainesville Police Department. He became a Deputy Sheriff with Hall County in 1969. In 1973, Jerry was transferred to the Detective Division, becoming the first officer to achieve the rank of Lieutenant. He worked and solved many felony and misdemeanor cases until he was transferred to the Warrant Division in 1989. Lt Walls served there until his retirement in 1998. After retirement, he worked as a security guard at Gainesville Jewelry until January, 2013.

Lt. Walls served under four different Sheriffs during his thirty-two year career in law enforcement. He was awarded the Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year in 1986. In 1988, he was chosen as Officer of the Year for the Hall County Sheriff's Department.

Jerry was fair, kind and respected by all who knew him. He was a calm, soft-spoken mentor and leader who treated everyone with dignity and respect. He had a great pride for those who succeeded thanks to his leadership and always enjoyed hearing stories of their successes.

There has never been a better, more loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend than Jerry Walls. He loved and enjoyed spending time with his family. Being outside, working and playing, was one of his favorite pastimes. Riding motorcycles, especially dirt bikes, made him happy. Renovating old cars was his hobby and he loved to explore junk yards, searching for parts to complete his projects. Coca Cola was always his drink of choice.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Justus Walls, daughters and sons-in-law Kim (Walls) and Mark Powell of Gainesville, Trinity and Joey Senter of Jefferson and daughter Leslie Bailey of Kannapolis, North Carolina, grandchildren Leigh Ann, Alden and Richard McRae (Buddy) Powell of Gainesville, Layce Rail and Ella Senter of Jefferson and Justus Chance Voyles, Bryson Chajon and Tiara Chajon, all of Kannanpolis, North Carolina, aunt Louise Humphries of Gainesville, brother and sister-in-law George and Mary Grace Walls, sister and brother-in-law, Kay and Jerry Clark, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Woody and Sonya Justus, all of Gainesville, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, mailed to The Medical Center Foundation, 2150 Limestone Parkway, Suite 115, Gainesville, GA 30501 or Gainesville First United Methodist Church