Kenneth W. Walls

Kenneth (Ken) Wallace Walls (96) died on November 8, 2025 at Tryon Estates in Columbus, North Carolina with Harriet, his loyal and devoted wife at his side. 

 Ken will be remembered for his infectious smile and twinkling eyes and as a man of intellect, good humor and generosity. Ken was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1928 to Clinton Wallace and Helen O’Brien Walls. Upon graduation from high school Ken attended Indiana University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree.  He then earned his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. Following graduation he was recruited by the U.S. Public Health Service and moved to Atlanta, Georgia to work at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a research parasitologist.    While at the CDC, Ken was instrumental in the early advancement of microplate automation and the development of the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) testing for immuno diagnosis. He and his colleagues developed the technology used to read these microplates. ELISA is still widely used in medicine for a wide range of diagnostic tests. Ken met Harriet at the CDC not in the laboratory but after work on the tennis court.   Other extra-curricular activities they enjoyed together were golfing, biking and canoeing.  They were married in 1978 in the chapel at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia. Following retirement they moved to Sherwood Forest, Brevard, North Carolina where they believed they had found paradise!  Ken especially enjoyed his relationship working with a group of men, the Woodcutters, and playing golf with some of them at the community golf course.  He chaired numerous committees including the Board of Directors during the 27 years that he lived in Sherwood Forest.   He was serving as Chair of the Financial Review Committee when they moved to Tryon Estates, a continuing care retirement community, in 2024. Throughout his life Ken enjoyed helping young people pursue higher education to advance their careers.   These included family members, his employees at CDC and many students at Brevard Music Center.

Ken was pre-deceased by his brother and sister-in-law, Donald Edward and Emily Walls.  

He is survived by his wife, Harriet Hutchinson Walls, and nephew, Donald Edward Walls, Jr. (Carol), their son and daughter and their numerous grandchildren as well as many loyal and dear friends.

We gratefully acknowledge the wonderful care that Ken received during his last six weeks of life in Willowbrooke Court at Tryon Estates. The nursing staff was incredibly competent and caring but beyond that they were compassionate and loving to both Ken and Harriet.

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

Sanders Funeral Home.

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