Forrest Wayne Waller

Forrest Wayne Waller, 66, of Clovis, NM died Monday, December 15, 2008, at his home following an illness. Forrest was born November 26, 1942, in Palestine, TX to Forrest and Lou Etta (Starkey) Waller. He moved with his family at the age of 3 to the Fort Sumner valley. He attended Fort Sumner Schools where he participated in football and band, graduating in 1960. Forrest married Linda Laslie on August 21, 1964, in Valley Station, Kentucky. Forrest attended college at West Texas State University and Eastern NM University. He received his MBA Degree from ENMU in 1987. He worked for Diamond Shamrock in Amarillo, TX ,and J.I. Case Corporation in Greenwood, MS, before returning to Fort Sumner in 1976 following his father’s death. He farmed in the Fort Sumner valley for several years, serving as president of the irrigation district during the early 1980’s. He later made his home in Clovis, NM, where he was an instructor in the Business Department at Clovis Community College. He retired in January, 2006. He was baptized at Fort Sumner Baptist Church at the age of twelve, and later became a member of The Church On The Hill in Fort Sumner. His most recent membership was at Parkland Baptist Church in Clovis. Church was a very important part of his life. Forrest was preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law, and an aunt, Annie Pearl Waller. Survivors include his wife Linda Waller; a daughter Diane Waller and partner Joy Wolenski of Clovis; a sister Mary Evelyn Martin and husband George of Estancia; his mother-in-law, Nellie Laslie of Brandenburg, KY; a nephew Dwight Martin and wife Abbey and their children Tye and Kallye of Moriarty, NM. Funeral services will be held, Friday, Dec.19, 2008, at 2:30pm at The Church On The Hill in Fort Sumner with Sister Anna Teeter officiating. Burial will follow in the Waller family plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will include, Dwight Martin, Alan Laslie, Fielden Laslie, Dominick Sena, Lewis Hisel, and Robert Lutrick. Honorary bearers will include J.D. Pepper, Frank Williams, Jesse Craig, and Glen Eagle. The family prefers memorial contributions in memory of Forrest Waller to the Fort Sumner Cemetery Association P.O. Box 180, Fort Sumner, NM 88119, or The Church on The Hill building fund P.O. Box 467, Fort Sumner, NM 88119. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 804 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, NM. (575) 355-2311. To sign the guest book or place an online tribute visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com