Paul Walling

A. Paul Walling, age 72, of Flint, Michigan died Wednesday morning, December 2, 2015 at Henry Ford Hospital surrounded by his family. Born May 31, 1943, in Almont, Michigan, he was the son of the late Rev. Elbert Walling and Juanita (Poet) Walling.

Paul was a dedicated educator in the Flint Community Schools for nearly 40 years. His abiding faith in the power of education and ethical action inspired thousands of students to achieve their dreams across multiple generations in the city of Flint. He earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Greenville College, Illinois, and master’s degrees in remedial learning and educational leadership from Eastern Michigan University. His first teaching assignment was at Flint’s Bryant Junior High School in 1966 and he also taught at Emerson, Open School, and Northern. He retired as principal of Johnson Accelerated Academy in 2005 after serving as an administrator in the Pupil Personnel office and at Northwestern and Whittier.

Paul was deeply devoted to his family. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Reba Kay Walling; along with two children; son Dayne Walling and his wife Carrie of Flint, Michigan, and daughter Melissa Walling of Chicago, Illinois; and 2 grandchildren, Bennett and Emery Walling, who he held so dearly in his heart; and sister Kathleen (Walling) and Ted Brownagle of Lebanon, Pennsylvania; and many other loving brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and relatives.

He treasured time with family and his many friends from his childhood, years in schools, through the church, and talking to everyone he met. Paul and Reba shared a passion for travel, having visited all 50 states and dozens of countries on four continents. He also enjoyed reading, swimming, history, woodworking, gospel music, playing cards and the trombone, and collecting gnomes, turtles, and baseball hats. While retired, Paul was an outstanding volunteer at Pierce Elementary School, Crossover Ministries, and many other faith-based and community associations.

Paul was a special man to all who knew him, a strong Christian, great teacher, responsible leader, and caring husband, father, and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, his father the late Rev. Elbert Walling, his mother Juanita (Poet) Walling, and his older brother Alburn Walling.

Memorial services for A. Paul Walling will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 7, 2015 at Court Street United Methodist Church with Rev. Jeremy Peters officiating. Friends may visit with the family Saturday from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. and on Monday before the memorial service from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., all at Court Street United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Family Promise of Genesee County, P.O. Box 4519, Flint, MI 48504 or the new A. Paul Walling Memorial Fund at Court Street United Methodist Church, 225 W. Court St., Flint, MI 48502, which will support the youth and community ministries so important in Paul’s life.