Walter "Wally" Mayer

Walter F. "Wally" Mayer age 86, passed away peacefully Monday, January 23, 2012 at Berkeley Square, in the presence of family. He was born in Hamilton on February 17, 1925, to Frank X. "Pop" Mayer and Anna Barbara (Schultheiss) Mayer. He was the youngest of four sons, with Edward, Adrian and Wilbur (Bill), all preceding him in death. A lifelong resident of Hamilton, he graduated from Hamilton High School before honorably serving his country in the Army Air Corps during World War II, stationed primarily in Italy. He married the former JoAnne Ullrey in 1946. She also preceded him in death in 1992. They had three children, all who survive today: Billie Jo (Anthony) Cole of Arlington, VA, Monte (Rebecca) Mayer, Hamilton, OH, and Marianne (Brian) Hildreth, Osteen, FL. In 1996 Wally married the former Mary Jane Blanton, who remained faithfully with him until the very end, and who also survives him along with her daughters, Shelly (Robert) King of Ooltewah, TN, and Crissy (Mark) Tevis, San Pedro, CA. Wally spent the bulk of his career as an officer and eventual president of Columbia Federal Savings and Loan. During that time, he attended the University of Cincinnati from where he obtained a BS degree in Business. He spent 30 years as President of Hamilton Lodge #19 of the Fraternal Order of Police Associates, was an Auxiliary Officer Hamilton Police Department for 30 years, Past Chairman of Mercy Hospital Civic Advisory Board, Past President of Hamilton Safety Council, Past President of Hamilton Lions Club, and served many years as Master of Ceremonies for Lion's Honor Night, which recognized the top 3% of graduating seniors at Hamilton High School and Badin High School. Wally was well known as a public speaker, having delivered the commencement address at Badin High School in 1987. Upon his retirement from banking, he continued to stay very active and served as a Captain for the Butler county Sheriff's Office under former Sheriff Richard Holzberger, one of his close friends. He later continued in public service as a jury clerk and court liaison officer for the Butler County Clerk of Courts. He concluded his public service by working as an ombudsman for the City of Hamilton in the Department of Economic Development, from where he finally retired in 2006. An accomplished athlete in his younger years, Wally was offered a try out with the St. Louis Cardinals after WWII. He was a lifelong Cincinnati Reds fan and season ticket holder from Crosley Field through Great American Ballpark. He enjoyed sharing his tickets with youngsters, who otherwise would not have had the opportunity to see a Reds game in person. When not at Reds games in the summer, you could usually find Wally on local softball fields, where he continued to actively play well into his 60's. He particularly enjoyed the many years he played with the Legal Eagles. In addition to his children, his wife and family, he is also survived by eight grandchildren, Eric Cole, Andrew (Melissa) Cole, Laura Cole, Nicole (Randy) Wilson. Brandon (Rose) Mayer, Christopher Hildreth, Daniel King and John Robert King; six great-grandchildren, Madelynn Cole, Maximilian Cole, Keith Mayer, Avery Mayer, Tyler Wilson and Jordan Wilson; a close nephew, Craig Mayer; close friend, Neil Ferdelman and a host of other friends, whom he felt fortunate to have known. The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Dr William Krall land his nurse Linda, staff and caregivers from Hospice of Hamilton, and nurses and aides from Berkeley Square Special Care Unit for their care and support. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 10:30. a. m at Weigel Funeral Home, 980 N. W. Washington Blvd. with Rev. Joshua Long officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Burial Park. Visitation will be Friday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. until time of the service at 10:30 a.m. the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to The Colonial Foundation for Berkeley Square Special Care Unit, 520 Eaton Avenue, Hamilton, Ohio 45013, Westwood Presbyterian Church 1068 Stahlheber Road, Hamilton, Ohio 45013 or Hospice of Hamilton, 1010 Eaton Avenue, Hamilton, Ohio 45013.