Mr. Sam "Waddell" Junior Waller

Mr. Sam Junior Waller lovingly known as “Waddell”, was called home to be with the Lord on Friday, May 16, 2014 in Kalamazoo, MI. He was born October 13, 1954 in Kalamazoo Michigan, to Vearnell Waller and Sammie Gaston. Sam attended Kalamazoo Public Schools and graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School. He later moved to Long Beach, California and resided there for 10 years. In 1997, he returned to Kalamazoo to care for his mother and was united in marriage to Crystal Hicks, the love of his life. He was employed at Professional Service Industries, Inc. as a Senior Field Technician. He confessed a hope in Christ at an early age, was baptized and became a member of Second Baptist Church in Kalamazoo. He later chose Christian Life Center as his place of worship. Sam was particular about his appearance and loved to dress sharp! He enjoyed listening to Jazz music and watching classic movies on channel 74. He was an avid sports enthusiast who enjoyed following different sports teams on TV, to keeping up with his grandchildren who are involved with playing sports. He was known as a leader in his family among his siblings. His family and friends were important to him and he loved them all very much. Sam will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents: Vearnell Waller and Sammie Gaston; brothers, Mose Gaston, Jimmy Gaston and Jason Waller; sisters, Virginia Smith and Penny Smith. He leaves not to mourn but to cherish his memories: his wife, Crystal Hicks-Waller; sons, Sammeon and Brice Waller of Pomona, CA; stepson, Timothy (Marilyn) McPherson of Kalamazoo, MI; daughters, Chamice Steele, Nikkea and Sahmiea Waller all of Kalamazoo, MI; 9 grandchildren, De’Ontate, Daquan, Azshia, Navahni, Navieyah, Hykea, Maiya, Eddie and Tiesha. Sisters: Ruby Dean Burns of Long Beach, CA and MaryNell (Essick) Mays of Jacksonville, FL; Rosemary Smith of Washington, D.C. brothers, Steven Paul Waller of Huntsville, AL, Mark (Cynthia) Waller of Atlanta, GA; Mannix (Tawnya) Waller of Kalamazoo; and Lester Gaston of Long Beach, CA; uncle, Isaiah Slaughter; aunts, Lossie (Louis) McPherson; Mary Redmond and Mary Kate Gibson all of Kalamazoo, MI; a special niece, Sonya Mills; special friends, Kevin Ford, Charles Moore and Larry Ollie. Also, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Mr. Sam "Waddell" Junior Waller

October 13, 1954 - May 16, 2014