Wally was born October 20, 1950, in Springfield, the son of Walter Wallace Sr. and Rita Belle (Smith) Phelps. He married Sharon L. Manion on September 21, 1974, at Sacred Heart Church in Springfield; she preceded him in death on May 14, 2021.
Wally graduated from Southeast High School in 1969 and was employed as a supervisor with the State of Illinois Department of Public Aid. After leaving the state; he was the manager of The Gym for 20 years. Wally was a member of Sacred Heart Church and volunteered around town with schools, including Sacred Heart Griffin and District 186, and UIS. He was also a member of the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame and Catholic League – SRD. Wally enjoyed basketball, barbeques, traveling, especially to Kansas City, MO, and was an avid Chicago Cubs fan.
He was also preceded in death by his parents.
Wally is survived by his son, Michael T. (Amanda) Phelps of Springfield; grandchildren, Lexy Phelps, Haley McCarty, and Devon, William, Jonah, and Ethan Collins; great-grandson, Oliver James Phelps; sister, Gale (Maurice) Borders of Springfield; niece, Lyrin Borders; and nephew, Mario Borders.
Visitation and Funeral Mass: Family will receive friends from 9:30 until 10:45 a.m. at St. Katharine Drexel Parish at St. Patrick Church, 1720 South Grand Avenue East, Springfield, IL, on Friday, October 13, 2023. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Kevin Mann, celebrant.
Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL.
