Ephraim Everett Waller 1928 - 2018

WALLER, LITTLE, HARPER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/16/2018 at 13:52:14

Sioux City Journal
30 January 2018

Sioux City

Ephraim Everett Waller, 89, retired professional association executive of Sioux City, passed away Friday, Jan. 19, 2018.

Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at First Congregational Church. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be 10 a.m. until service time Friday at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Online condolences may be directed to meyerbroschapels.com.

Born in Sioux City, on Aug. 10, 1928, he was the son of Everett and Ruth Emma (Little) Waller. He married his beloved Virginia Louise Harper on Oct. 3, 1959.

Dr. Waller received his BA at the University of Iowa in 1951 and his MA at the University of Iowa in 1959. His military credentials include: Certificate of Foreign Studies, Graduate Council and Asia Society Scholarships graduate (with honors), Strategic Intelligence School, 1955, Army Security Agency School, 1962, National Cryptologic Schools (National Security Agency) 1966, Command and General Staff College, 1966, graduate with honors, State Department Foreign Service Institute, 1967, Turkish Language School, 1968, graduate, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, 1972. He received his doctor of education degree with honors at the University of South Dakota in 1981.

Dr. Waller was a certified foreign area specialist, cryptologist. He was commissioned second lieutenant in U.S. Army, 1951. He advanced through the grades to lieutenant colonel. He served extensively in Vietnam and later became one the nation's foremost military experts on Turkey. He retired from the Army in 1979, decorated with the Bronze Star, Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Chinese and Vietnamese Honor Medals, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army General Staff Badge, and Vietnamese Combat Merit Medal. In addition to Vietnam and Turkey, his foreign service included Germany, Taiwan, and Eniwetok.

Dr. Waller then became executive director of a 13-state professional association, Midwest Agricultural Chemicals Association in Sioux City, from 1981 to 1995. Together with being a consultant and member of the Science and Regulatory Policy Oversight Council, American Crop Protection Association, Washington, D.C., from 1990 to 1995 and a member of the Interregional Coordinating Council, Joint Body, and U.S. Regional Agricultural Associations in Dawson, Ga., from 1991 to 1995. He contributed numerous articles to professional journals.

He was a member of First Congregational Church in Sioux City from 1937 to his date of death.

Over his life, he was a member of the Retired Officers Association, Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, Interprofessional Institute, Scottish Rite, Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star, Phi Delta Kappa, and Delta Sigma Rho.

Avocations included swimming, hiking, travel, stamp collecting, writing, and seeing friends and family. Dr. Waller served his country with honor, was an asset to his community, and was a loving husband.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia; his brother, George A. Waller of Mapleton, Iowa; nephews, William E. Waller of Des Moines, and Thomas G. Waller of Seattle, Wash.; niece, Elizabeth R. Waller Lovin of Woodstock, Ga.; and seven grandnieces and grandnephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother, William W. Waller; and his parents.

Memorials may be sent to First Congregational Church for the benefit of the Ephraim and Virginia Waller Scholarship Fund.