Duke Walls

Opelousas- A funeral service will be held for, Duke Michael Walls, on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. in the Sibille Funeral Home in Opelousas. Pastor Benny Reppond will conduct the service. Rite of Committal will follow in the Johnson Cemetery in Bayou Chicot.
Duke, age 57, a resident of Lawtell, passed away on Monday, April 1, 2019. Duke Michael Walls was born January 29, 1962 in New Iberia, La to Shelby Duke Walls and Preston Harlan Walls Jr. From that time on, he marched to his own tune.
From the time he could talk he was a clown and tried to make people laugh. He always clowned for his mama and made it hard for her to correct him because she was laughing. His clowning was a real issue with his teachers, but they couldn't keep a straight face either. We all know as an adult, his clowning often covered up whatever inward pain he was in, but it worked for him.
He loved all things mechanical, loved working on things both for himself and others. All his friends came or called for help when they had vehicle problems and Duke could never say no, no matter the hour of the day. When he was little, to his brother's detriment, he began to show that interest in how things worked by disassembling his brothers' remote toys, but then he couldn't figure out how to put them back together.
He joined the Navy at 18 and was on the famous Midway carrier for his four-year stint after basic in Florida. He talked often of the amazing parts of the world he had seen during that time and was proud he had served his country. His job was loading the bombs onto the planes, He spoke of how hard it was to be away from his family and how he worried something would happen to one of us before he came home.
He followed in his grandfather Duke and his dad's footsteps, working in the oilfields and learning the various jobs on a derrick. He had advanced to operating the huge cranes on the offshore platforms in the Gulf, and being the daredevil, he was, loved it.
He had a passion for all things classic, but his real love was classic cars. He had owned various models, and nothing pleased him more than finding something that was not running, looked awful and bringing it back to life.
He had many people he loved in his life, but the greatest was his only child, Destiny Alane. He loved his family and though he was a bit of a loner, he loved being with them for family get togethers. He had a big tender heart and a generous nature. Even when he had little, he was quick to share if someone had a need. His personality, his smile, his heart towards others is what will be remembered.
The only bright light in his leaving his loved ones here is that he is now reunited with the baby brother, Chad he lost and grieved sorely 14 years ago, his daddy, Harlan and both sets of grandparents. The world was blessed with his presence and the void he leaves now is vast for those left behind.
He is survived by his mother Shelby Duke Clifton and husband, Claude of Lawtell, daughter, Destiny Alane Bass, Natchitoches, brother, Zane Allen Walls and wife, Lisa of Lafayette, and a host of nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by father, Preston Harlan Walls, Jr., grandparents, Preston and Effie Walls, Sr. and Charles and Maxine Duke, and brother, Chad Walls.
The family requests visitation be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. in the Sibille Funeral Home in Opelousas. The funeral home will reopen for visitation on Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until time of service at 2:00 p.m.
Words of Comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.

Visitation

Sibille Funeral Home
2309 George Drive
Opelousas, LA  70570
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Sibille Funeral Home
2309 George Drive
Opelousas, LA  70570
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Service

Funeral Service

Sibille Funeral Home Chapel
2309 George Drive
Opelousas, LA  70570
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
2:00 p.m.

Cemetery

Johnson Cemetery
Addisson Johnson Rd.
Ville Platte, LA  70586