James Joseph Waller's Obituary
James Joseph Waller was born on February 6, 1944 in Tioga, Louisiana to MSgt. Earl N. Waller and Joan LaMothe-Waller. He passed away after a lengthy illness on January 30, 2015. He was the second of 14 children. The family was a military family and moved all over the United States settling in Tacoma, Washington in 1957 after his father’s retirement from the U.S. Army. James attended schools in the Tacoma area and graduated from Stadium High School in 1964. Upon graduating, he joined the Army during the Vietnam War. He left the military with an honorable discharge. After the war, he went through a period of readjustment and help established the Black Panthers in Tacoma. He earned his BA from Evergreen State College and continued his education at The University of Puget Sound Law School, graduating with a Juris Doctorate of Law in 1980.
He was passionate about his community and the youth of the Hilltop area. He worked with Model Cities to develop a youth program to find employment for the young adults in the area. It was a successful program that opened doors for employment in businesses that did not have policies of hiring minorities. James went on to hold positions at Brown & Haley’s, Boeing and ended his career as the Chief Investigator, Attorney II, for the Public Defender’s Office in Anchorage, Alaska. He returned to Tacoma to raise his young daughter after his first wife, Shelley, suddenly passed. He was a single father for a period of time until he met and rekindled his love with his second wife, Annie Ruth. They had known each other since High School. They have been married for more than twenty-two years.
James enjoyed a full and colorful life. There are so many great stories about him. He travelled around the U.S. One of his favorite spots was east of the mountains to go fishing with friends. He enjoyed taking beautiful pictures of his family and friends. He loved barbequing in his backyard and his friends coming by to sit, talk and laugh. He was very family oriented and would not miss any family gathering. The holidays were important to him and every Christmas he would decorate his yard with lights that would light up the corner of 23rd Street. His smile, laughter, words of wisdom, helpfulness, thoughtfulness and compassion for others will be missed.
James leaves behind his loving wife, Annie Ruth (Birge ) Williams-Waller, daughters, Tonya Johnson, Tacoma Waller, and Rosheena Williams; sons, Tioga Waller, Paul Waller, sisters, Cora (Larry) Warren, Gilda Waller, Jacqueline (Donald) Cubean, Pamela Cubean, Deborah (Jerry) Cunningham; brothers, John Waller and Dwayne Waller and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends. His father and mother preceded him in death as well as sisters, Earlene Johnson, Darlene Waller, Patricia Waller, Joyce Waller; brothers, Darius Dale Waller, Richard Waller and brother-in-law Leroy Cubean.
James was a man that believed in God, read the bible, studied organized religions and would have deep discussions on them. He was well versed in the Word. He has earned his wings and is now resting in paradise.
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