Tommy Earl "Tom" Wall's Obituary
Tommy Earl Wall, formerly of DuQuoin, IL passed away June 16, 2013 in Mesa, Arizona. Tom was born April 9, 1938 in West Frankfort, Illinois to Theodore Roosevelt Wall and Eva (Maddox) Wall. Tom spent all of his school years in Du Quoin and graduated from DTHS in 1957. He was a member in the Future Farmers of America organization, under Mr. Harold Homann, all four years while at DTHS. He enlisted in the US Army on June 17, 1959 and spent most of his active military service in Germany. He is proud to continue to support all of the military as they defend the United States here and overseas. Tom married Dorothy Fulk on August 15, 1964 in Du Quoin, Illinois, so they will be married 49 years this August. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Wall of Chandler, AZ; sons, Ted (Sara) Wall of Laveen, AZ, and Andy (Leslie) Wall of Gilbert, AZ; daughters, Susan (Vernon) Erickson or Gilbert, AZ, and Roni ( Del) Birkhofer of Kansas City, MO; grandchildren, Teo, Tommy, and Jake Wall, Ollie, Sammy and Madly Erickson, Kaylie Chasteen, and Tyler Birkhofer and many dear nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Deon Wall. In 1967 Tom went to work as an Engineer building the Baldwin Power plant, he completed that work in 1983. He then became a Project Manager for the construction of the oil refineries in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, completing that work in 1996. In 1996 Tom became a Consultant as an Engineer to many Oil companies in various countries, but primarily in China. He retired from this in 2009. Tom and Dorothy moved to Arizona in 1993 and still reside in Chandler. Tom has always been interested in researching Amelia Earhart's final flight, which he did for many years. He knew exactly her flight route, her fate, and where her plane would be found. After retirement Tom's interests have been in playing his bass guitar and being with and helping his grandkids. Tom has worked in so many foreign places. His work took him to China, Kazakhstan, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, Korea, and Vietnam (to name just a few). As you know Tom had become ill in this past month and was being cared for at Hospice of the Valley in Chandler.
A visitation will be held Thursday, June 20, 2013 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at Lakeshore Mortuary, 1815 S. Dobson Rd., Mesa, AZ 85202.
Funeral services will be held at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, IL on Saturday, June 29, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. with Ministers Jeff Thayer and Alijah McCormick officiating. Interment will be in Mueller Hill Cemetery, Pinckneyville, IL. With graveside military rites by Presswood-Daffron American Legion Post #2504, Pinckneyville, IL. Friends may call at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, IL on Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley 1510 East Flower St. Phoenix, AZ 85014
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