Timothy Burke Walthall

Timothy (Tim) was the eldest of four sons born to Charles Timothy Walthall and Mary Elizabeth Walthall (nee Schrohenlor). Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, he and his parents later moved to the Washington, DC area, where Timothy attended St. John the Beloved Catholic School and McLean High School. Tim played many sports including baseball, softball, football, and tennis. A graduate of the University of Virginia (BS in economics, with honors), he enrolled in Boston’s New England School of Law, graduating with a JD degree in 1974. While in there, he became intrigued with the Irish music scene, and with his brother James, they formed a two-man band, Irish Mist. This began Tim’s 50-year foray into Irish music.

His legal career included law clerk (NH Superior Court), trial attorney (FTC-Bureau of Competition), and McCampbell & Walthall. During this time, he also earned LLM in Administrative Law from George Washington University. He finished his career at the US Dept. of Justice as a trial attorney for Environmental Torts. At the encouragement of his wife, he was published in Litigation magazine, Tennessee Law Journal, and Virginia Lawyer. He enjoyed his teaching work at the National Advocacy Center, using baseball analogies to describe courtroom strategies. He was scheduled to retire in May 2025.

Tim’s maintained extensive interests outside work. A lifelong Redskins fan, he watched games with family and friends at his parent’s house (always followed by dinner). He continued to delve into Irish music and in 1994, The Flying Cows of Ventry were born, playing their first gig at the Knights of Columbus in Arlington. Tim and the Cows visited Ireland, playing in West Ireland’s pubs from the day they landed and were featured live on Ireland’s Gaelic National Radio (Raidio na Gaeltachta). Over 30 years the Flying Cows of Ventry, they played at pubs, weddings, and festivals in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, West Virginia, and Ireland. They produced two CDs, “Celtic Ruminations” (1997) and “Bovine Inspiration” (2004). Their most recent, and perhaps final, band job was March 17, 2025, at the Auld Shebeen in Fairfax, Virginia.

Tim’s other interests included starting and managing an E F L football league (the predecessor of the modern Fantasy Football), skeet shooting, and studying the Civil War, and World Wars. His newest and final passion was chess. He participated weekly in the Arlington Chess Club at Mt Olivet Church of Arlington, and the DC Chess League, along with online games.

Tim was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Mary Walthall, nephew Patrick Walthall, and grandsons Noah Wrigley and Connor Hamilton. He is survived by his first wife, Holly Zaumseil (nee LeRoux), and his wife of 45 years, Barbara Grey Walthall; daughters Diane Hamilton (Scott), Annie Wrigley (Dave), and Mary Buckner (Kyle); grandchildren Tristan Hamilton, Nathaniel Hamilton, John Hamilton, David Wrigley, Jr., Samuel R. Wrigley V, Jonathan Wrigley, Eloise Buckner, and Levi Monroe Buckner; brothers James Walthall (Susan), Jeffrey Walthall (Lynn), and Edwin Walthall (Frank Dattolo); nephews Bryan Walthall and Judd Grey; and nieces Jessica Turner (Doug), Alexis Loving (Jesse Rooney), and Ellen Burford (Aaron).

Viewing on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Murphy’s Funeral Home, 1102 West Broad Street, Falls Church, VA, 6 pm to 8 pm; Mass of Christian Burial, May 2, 2025, St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 5300 10th Street, North, Arlington VA 10:30 am, followed by internment at Oakwood Cemetery, 401 North Roosevelt Street, Falls Church, VA.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Arlington Food Assistance Center at afac.org

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.