On May 22, 2020 Capt Walter Noble Vance III (Wally), age 85, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love. In his last years, Wally battled amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive motor neuron disease, sometimes called Lou Gehrig’s disease, and for which there is no known cure. He lived life fully, serving his country with distinction, devoting himself to his family, providing leadership when needed, finding adventure at every turn, and making a difference in the lives of those who knew and loved him.
Wally was born in Champagne, Illinois on Halloween, October 31, 1934 to Catherine Javais Conrad Vance and Walter Noble Vance Jr. Four years later, his only sibling, Conrad Bryan Vance (Connie) was born. The family later moved to Houston, Texas where Wally graduated from high school and became best friends with Delvin Krause (Del). He and Del would remain best friends for the rest of his life. He attended Texas A&M University for 2 ½ years where he studied aeronautical engineering. While serving in the military he graduated from the University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA), earning his bachelor's degree in business management. He remained a Texas Aggie at heart.
Capt Vance was commissioned into the US Navy on February 23, 1955 and retired from the US Naval Reserves twenty-three years later on April 1, 1978. His dream of becoming a naval aviator was realized and he excelled at flying the A-4 single seat attack aircraft. As a young lieutenant commander his courage and skills were tested again and again during the Vietnam War. Once he returned to the carrier in a plane which had been so severely damaged by enemy fire that it was pushed into the ocean, not even worthy of salvaging for parts.
Capt Vance flew 118 combat missions over North Vietnam and successfully performed over 300 carrier landings. His most heroic and extraordinary achievement earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross. Under intense enemy fire, demonstrating outstanding marksmanship, he made a direct missile hit on his target, collapsing a strategic bridge in North Vietnam. Among others, Capt Vance was awarded 11 Air Medals and 2 Navy Commendation Medals.
Wally was drawn to the real estate business and found satisfaction in making his clients’ dreams of home ownership a reality. He became a Realtor and opened his own company, Point O’ View. Always eager for a new challenge, Wally became a general contractor, and began building “uncommon” custom homes. He built his own home in 1981 in Orange Park, Fl and would live there with his wife, Vicky, throughout his lifetime.
Wally’s lifelong friend, Del, introduced him to catastrophe insurance adjusting in 1989 when Hurricane Hugo struck South Carolina with a vengeance. By the time Hurricane Andrew devastated Homestead, Fl in 1992 Wally had committed himself to a new profession which would be demanding physically, mentally and emotionally.
Whenever embarking on a new career, Wally was initially motivated by a sincere desire to learn, serve, and meet his own expectations of excellence. As he became involved in a professional organization, he served in many capacities, promoted education and professional standards, and became a respected leader. He served as President for the Bradford – Clay County Board of Realtors, the Bradford – Clay County Multiple Listing Service, and the National Association of Catastrophe Adjusters.
Wally loved adventure. Even more, he delighted in sharing experiences with family and friends: go kart racing; horseback riding; power boating and water skiing; tubing and white water rafting; sailing; snow skiing; and even hang gliding. As teenagers, he and Del attended their first auto race. As adults, they and cohorts, continued to attend sports car races, often working as pit managers and corner workers. Even into their seventies, their enthusiasm for spending days at the annual 12 Hours of Sebring never waned.
Most of all, Wally was “born to ride”. He bought a red Harley Davidson Ultra Classic in 2000 and life was never the same. Everyone who wanted to ride was given the chance, from the younger grandchildren to eighty-five year old Granny. He took Vicky along for his most harrowing ride, the 11 mile and 318 curve mountain road in Deals Gap, TN known as the Dragon Tail. Motorcycle touring was his real passion. After attending a week long Americade rally in Lake George, NY, they toured New England and the North Atlantic Coast.
Knowing from experience that travelling is life changing, Wally was anxious to explore more of world with Vicky. They not only visited many amazing places in the United States and Canada, but they also toured abroad with their favorite travelling companions, Vicky’ s sister and brother-in-law, Shelley and Rick Lee. Experiencing Europe, the British Isles, North Africa, and the Orient opened their minds and hearts to new people and cultures.
Above all, Wally was devoted to his wife and family. Nothing made him happier than being surrounded by his family. His home was a favorite gathering place, especially for family celebrations and holidays. He welcomed any family member who needed a temporary home to share his. Wally was loved and respected as a husband, a father, and a grandfather (Bompa). He will live on in our hearts and memories.
Wally was preceded in death by his parents, Catherine and Walter Vance Jr, and by his brother, Conrad Vance. He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Vicky Laws Vance and by: his son, Walter Vance IV of Orange Park, FL; his daughter, Vanessa Bussie, her husband, Alan, and son, Robert, all of Lexington, KY; his daughter, Tracy Vance, and her son, Andrew, and her daughter, Catharine Hajner, her husband, Krisztian, and her daughter, Lillian, all of Orange Park, FL; his daughter, Kiera Bluhm, her husband, David, and daughters, Kailee and Alyssa, all of Eagle River, AK; his son, Shaun Dardar, his wife, Teresa, and children, Britney, Ashley, Emily, and Tyler, all of Orange Park, FL; his in-laws, Shelley and Rick Lee of Buffalo, NY and Linda Vance of Pensacola, FL; and lifelong best friend Del Krause and wife, Glenda, of Spartanburg, SC.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, consider making a tribute donation for ALS research to www.alsa.org/donate/giving/gifts-in-tribute.html. Please address your e-card to wife, Vicky, at [email protected] and include your mailing address.
