Mr. Richard Tommy Walls was born on May 21, 1948, in Jasper, Alabama, to Olin Walls, Sr. and Ruth M. Lewis. He attended East High School in Buffalo, New York, and later built a dedicated career with Tampa Electric Company. Richard was a gifted athlete with a lifelong passion for sports. He spent time in the Detroit Tigers Minor League system and went on to become both an avid golfer and a highly accomplished bowler. His exceptional talent on the lanes earned him induction into both the Pinellas County Hall of Fame Bowling Association and the Hillsborough County Hall of Fame Bowling Association. Faith- filled, kind, and gentle-spirited, Richard touched the lives of everyone who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Olin Walls, Sr. and Ruth M. Lewis; brother, Jimmy Lee Walls; sisters, Stella Walls, Mamie Walls and Maudle Usher; aunts, Christine Smith, Gloria Lewis and Emmogene Thomas; uncles, Governor Lewis, Ben Lewis, Joe Lewis and John Lewis.

He leaves cherished memories to his loving wife, Roberta Gallmon Walls; son, Terrence Polite (Queens, NY); daughter, Kimberly Walls (Atlanta, GA) and Tiffany Polite Hills (Thomas) of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren, Ebony Thompkins, Brandon Cantrelle, Dominic Spigner, TiQuera Polite, Naija Polite, Catleya Polite, Alex Goode, Alaina Goode, Aiden Goode and Anaya Goode; brother, Olin Walls, Jr. (Buffalo, NY), Robert Mason (Jasper, AL) and David Mason (Jasper, AL); sister, Lottie Usher (Atlanta, GA); as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends and all whom felt of his welcoming personality.