Barry Waller

Barry Howard Waller passed away peacefully at Alton Memorial Hospital on August 19, 2024. He was 73 years old.

Barry was born on November 2, 1950 in Alton, Illinois. He was the second child of Herbert Waller and Margot (Cohn) Waller Hornsey, who were both Holocaust survivors. He completed their family following his sister Sonia (Waller) Stalker. His parents’ memory, resilience and love were treasures he carried all through his life.

In April 1978, he married Brenda Kay (Deardeuff) Burkett and they had 3 children, Sarah (Waller) Fliehs, Carrie Waller and Benjamin Waller. Though they later divorced, they shared in raising their kids and even worked together for years.

As a child, Barry was always looking for an adventure. He wasn’t afraid of getting dirty, and was forever pestering his sister and causing mischief with his large group of friends, even losing half his index finger after deciding it was a good idea to build a boobie trap with an M-80. We still don’t know how he actually survived his childhood.

He graduated from Alton High School and went on to study history at Southern Illinois University. Eventually he joined his mother in the insurance business where they ran an American Family Insurance Agency, which was conveniently located right next door to his home so he could spend his lunch break watching sports.

Barry was a spirited sports enthusiast and a diehard fan of the Cards, Blues and Rams. He collected sports memorabilia, which covered an entire room in his house from floor to ceiling, and served as a sports writer for the St. Louis Rams. It afforded him the privilege of attending all games, sitting in the press box, and hanging out with players in the locker room. He even played softball and hockey himself. He was also a lover of theatre, once holding season tickets at The Muny and attending many plays/musicals with his kids.

Barry had a heart for animals and people in need, never turning away an animal that showed up at his door (except squirrels) or friend/family member in need. He had a house full of animals, including his beloved dog Spot, indoor cat Cookie and her kittens, 3 additional indoor/outdoor cats Princess, Arrow and Patches, and a bunny. Angel fur babies Malcolm the bulldog, Big Herm the pug, and Cosmo T Kitty Cat held a place in his heart.

Anyone that spent time with Barry was treated with an earful of stories that never lasted less than 30 minutes. He had tales for days ranging from sports, to childhood memories, to boasting about his kids and their accomplishments. He would tell his stories with such passion, that it was rare you could get a word in edgewise. He was a quirky character who once showed up to Thanksgiving dinner with a 12 pack of Pepsi and a loaf of Wonderbread when asked to bring dinner rolls. He spent a lot of time researching on his computer and working on the MG he was rebuilding.

He was incredibly proud of his kids and grandkids, William Bailey Plummer, Tyler Johnson and Jacob Johnson. They were his pride and joy and he always said that as long as his kids were happy, he was good.

He leaves behind many loving family members including daughter Sarah (Waller) Fliehs and her husband Jeff of MN, daughter Carrie Waller and her partner Shaun Bardle of MO, son Benjamin Waller and his wife Megan of MO, grandsons William Bailey Plummer of CO, Tyler Johnson of CA, and Jacob Johnson of MO, sister Sonia (Waller) Stalker and her husband Dave of TX, niece Laurie (Armstrong) Webber and her husband Curt of TX, Susie (Armstrong) Conroy and her husband Patrick of MO, 3 great nieces and 2 great nephews, extended family in Israel, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his father Herbert Waller in 1970, mother Margot (Cohn) Waller Hornsey in 2011, grandfathers Sally Waller in 1936 and Benno Cohn in 1944 (Holocaust), and grandmothers Rosa Blumenthal in 1942 (Holocaust) and Bertha Blumenthal in 1944 (Holocaust). Many other family members were lost in the Holocaust.

If he could talk to us right now from the other side, he would say “The bad news is I’m dead. The good news is there’s no change I have to live through another 4 years of Trump.”

To his kids, he would say “Don’t cry for me. I passed knowing you are all happy. That’s all I hoped for in life. You are my pride and joy.”

To his grandsons, he would say “I’m so proud of you boys.”

To his sister, he would say “I’m sorry I pestered you. Thanks for the Thanksgiving meals and steaks. I never ate so good.”

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Barry's memory may contribute to a fund established to assist with end of life expenses. Contributions can be made online at the following address: https://everloved.com/life-of/barry-waller/donate/. Kindly, your generous donations will serve to alleviate financial stress for the family during this difficult time.

Barry will be cremated with a celebration of life planned in the future.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…” Ecclesiastes 3:1-4