So sorry to hear of Don's death.  He was a wonderful person.  I have known him for years both pre-medicine and while we both were in practice.  I referred patients to him for surgery.  Gone is the body but the memories will last forever.

Dear Kathy and Sandy,  
   I was so sorry to hear about your Dad's passing.   It has been a hard year and a half for your family.   My heart breaks for you.  
     I spoke with Daddy earlier and he was very emotional about your loss, as it is his loss too even though his loss concerns your Dad as a childhood friend, and younger man.  The fact that they hadn't seen or been with each other for years doesn't break that young bond forged so many years ago.  The past is more "present" for Daddy than the actual present right now. 
   Over the past year I've been trying to draw Daddy out about his life - The parts I either ignored or never asked about.  Childhood stories include Don.  Coming to Granny Snyder's to climb trees; going to Aunt Polly's to play with the train set Don had upstairs; sitting in one of the trees at Granny Snyder's closest to the tracks and shooting BBs at hobos riding in open freight cars as the train passed.  (I can believe it of my Daddy but not yours!)
   As they got older they would double date.  My Daddy and Mama with your Dad and  Mom.  Your Dad had a car.  The impression I was given was there really wasn't room for 4 people in that car.  Not that the couples complained!  
   Your Dad was always a good friend to Mama as well.  During their time at Carson Newman he would give Mama a ride back to Niota when he was heading home.  
   When the couples wed and  had us girls (my brothers don't count!) - we continued the connection by playing together when y'all visited your Grandmother Wallis.  
   I've previously shared my memories of your precious Mama from the summer after mine and Kathy's 8th grade year, and what a lasting impression she made on my life in just that one instance.  
   How wonderful to think of your Mom and Dad together again, watching over their girls always.   
   I wish I had more eloquence and could provide comfort in this time of sadness.  

Love, Hugs, and Sympathy to you all.

Sandra Snyder Hunter
Thurmont, MD

   

In a law practice of over 40 years I met many physicians under many
circumstances.  I liked most of them and several became personal friends.
Dr. Don Wallis was one of my absolute favorites.  Once many years ago
Don bought a piece of mountain property as to which there was some
uncertainty about the route of access.  He identified a retired park ranger
who was said to know the boundaries of every property in the mountains 
of Blount County, made an appointment to see the man, and asked me to
go with him.  I agreed to pick Don up at his house early one cool morning.
as we headed for my car I kiddingly said to Don, a gun collector, "We're 
going to be in the mountains.  Maybe you should take a sidearm."  He
grinned.  We drove to the home of the old ranger at the head of a remote 
mountain cove and were greeted at the car by a couple of big fierce dogs.
A lean, fit older man came out, called off the dogs, and asked us into the 
kitchen where we introduced ourselves and gratefully accepted cups of
hot coffee offered by his wife.  Don explained his question and the old
ranger immediately confirmed that he knew the property (literally a
mountaintop) and would show us the access route.   He went to another
room and came back wearing a field jacket and very openly putting 
cartridges into the cylinder of a .38 revolver which he dropped in the
pocket of his jacket.  He told us to follow him and got into his pickup.
Don and I got in my car where Don looked at me with a crooked grin
and said, "Damn, Jack, I thought you were kidding about the sidearm!"


I always admired Uncle Don. When I was in college, he took me to the bus station, and we had to wait in line. I was getting frustrated because the woman at the counter was demanding to go to some out of the way place. Uncle Don was enjoying the moment and people watching. My condolences to Kathy and Sandy.

Sandy,
So sorry to hear of your father's passing.  Please accept m y condolences. I know my father remembers their time in the Air National Guard. He also send his thoughts and prayers. God Bless your family
Larry

Dr Wallis did surgery on me while at Baptist hospital and he was most caring and skilled at what he did, reassuring me all the way. He was one of a kind—even when you were scared to death of the outcome, he always kept you laughing at his jokes and comments. Thank you Dr Wallis for your service to our country and to your patients.

CMSGT USAF RET ORIGINALLY FROM NIOTA TN,KNEW DR. WALLACE WELL , SERVED MANY YRS IN TENNESSEE NATIONAL GUARD. ON ONE REMEMBERED DEPLOYMENT TO GERMANY I WAS INJURED WITH A DOUBLE RUPTURE OF THE BACK ! A DECISION HAD TO BE MADE , THE UNIT WAS RETURNING TO THE STATES AND WE WAS NOT EQUIPPED TO CARRY AND CARE FOR MEDICAL PATIENTS, INSTEAD OF LEAVING ME IN GERMANY DR. WALLACE SAID "I WILL ACCOMPANY MY FRIEND THE ENTIRE FLIGHT BACK TO TENNESSEE ,SO LET'S GET AIRBORNE ".  MANY THANKS !
                                                                             GENE BUCKNER

Dr Wallis was the best surgeons there was.He was always kind and considerate of others.It was a honor and privilege to have known him RIP Dr Wallis

I am so sorry for your loss and know that God will wrap his loving arms around you and give you comfort and peace.

Kathy and Sandy, I was a young nurse who worked w your Dad when he was in Resident training at UT medical center, I was a new head nurse on a surgical floor where most of his patients were when he had to go on a service mission.  He was a great doctor and was so easy and fun to work with.  In fact, I babysit w you girls a couple of times before the Coleman Nurse became his office nurse and babysit you, and I sure, you would never remember that.  My sister-in-law was a patient of his when he went into practice at Baptist and she loved him like her own son.   An Aunt also worked w him at Baptist and was a patient of his when in a car accident and he saved her life and she loved him very much also. I know he will be missed.

Your dad was a wonderful man. He did my first surgery, one of my mother’s surgery’s an my dad also. He was a compassionate man and stood up for his patients. He was doing a serious surgery on my mother which he said would only take about 3 hours. After 4 hours we had heard nothing and we were getting worried about that time a woman came running into the lounge looking for my dad and was saying how worried she was and wanted to know who the insurance pay, him or the hospital.  Well, about that time Dr. Wallis came in and heard what was going on and advised the lady that the best thing she could do was to get her stuff and never be seen there again. His office staff was great also.  His receptionist was wonderful, if I had been old enough I would have taken her home with me.  I can’t remember her name but she has a special needs daughter.  It it sad to loose such a wonderful man.  

I worked at Baptist hospital for about 10 yrs and Dr Wallis was the light of the hospital.  Always joking and just enjoying life.   Was my Dr too.   So sorry for your loss!   Great man!!!  

Dr Wallis saved my life in 1964. I was in an auto accident. He checked on me several times a day and night,  Later I was at a hockey game and he brought his wife over. He wanted her to meet the woman he had spent the night with.  Loved that man and am so sorry for his passing.

Such a kind & gentle soul. He was such a pleasure to work with. He taught me so much. I’m proud to have known you. Prayers for comfort & healing for his family.

Kathy & Sandy ,
Momma Rick & I are saddened to hear of Doc's passing . Doc was kind & compassionate his entire life I never heard him be unkind to anyone we will miss him but take comfort in knowing he is reunited with Peachy

OBITUARY

Dr. Donald Edwin Wallis

October 13, 1930 – August 5, 2020

Berry Funeral Home

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