Wally is originally from Arkansas, but he moved to Poplar Bluff when he was 13, so it's safe to say he's a local. After graduating from Poplar Bluff High School, Wally attended Oakland City College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He graduated cum laude and was named in "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities" in 1978.

Wally received his Juris Doctor from Memphis State University, now the University of Memphis, in 1984. While in law school, Wally served as a member of the Moot Court Board and also worked with the University's legal counsel as a graduate assistant.

Wally has been licensed to practice law in Missouri since 1984 and is admitted to practice in the United States District Court in the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri. Wally practices primarily in the Southeast Missouri area and served as the City Attorney for the City of Poplar Bluff for 27 years while maintaining a separate civil practice. He is a member of the Missouri Municipal Attorney's Association and co-authored the "Municipal Taxation" section in Missouri Taxation Law and Practice, Third Edition.

Wally greatly enjoys being involved in the local community and it shows! Over the years, Wally served as the President of the Butler County Bar Association, President of the Heartland Alternative Services Program, member of the Community Concert Association, Academic Assistance Group, and was a charter member of the Optimist Soccer League Board. Currently, Wally is working hard as the President of the Board of Directors of the historic Rodgers Theatre where he raising funds to make improvements (such as the roof and marquee) to keep that vital part of downtown available to our community.

Wally and his wife, Kathy, have three children, one grandchild and they are members of the Fellowship General Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff. In his free time, Wally enjoys playing his guitar, working on his house and boating on the river.