Wallis Cone Bland, Sr.

Aiken – Mr. Wallis Cone Bland, Sr., 87, passed away Friday, December 17, 2021.

Wallis was born in Augusta, GA, a son of the late Crews McDaniel and Elmo Ursery Bland.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Crews M. Bland Jr., sisters Elmo Scott Bland and Carolyn Rebecca Bland and a niece Sharon Evered. 

He served in the US Army during the Korean War and was a Safety Engineer for E.I. DuPont at the Savannah River Plant.  He was a member of Millbrook Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and was in the Millbrook Whittlers Club.  He was a long-time leader in the Royal Ambassadors program at Millbrook.  He coached little league basketball and baseball.  He was also an avid golfer and worked as a volunteer at The Augusta National during The Masters Golf Tournament for many years.  He loved life and lived it to the fullest.  Those that knew Wallis knew that he had a servant's heart and he strived to help others.  There was nothing more that he enjoyed than attending his granddaughter's volley ball games and he rarely missed the opportunity to attend them, traveling all over the state to do so.

Music was also a great part of his life and it was not unusual to see him break out in dance whenever his songs came over the sound system, no matter the location.   His granddaughters call him Papa and to their friends he became affectionately known as “Dancing Papa”.  The music stopped for Dancing Papa early last Friday morning when he passed peacefully at Westminster Memory Care.  While he will be missed by all who knew him, we are happy that he is now dancing up in heaven

Wallis is survived by his loving wife, Evelyn B. Bland (Aiken, S.C.) sons Steve Bland (Juliet) Houston, Texas, Wallis C. Bland, Jr (Cathy) of Aiken, S.C., granddaughters Carson Ruth Banks (Josh) Evans, Ga. and Natalie Grace Bland (Aiken, S.C.)   In addition, he is survived by nephews, nieces (spouses) and great nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Regency Hospice and Visiting Angels.  The care each of these organizations provided was truly a blessing and greatly appreciated.  There is a special place in heaven reserved for Pam, Queen, and Sue.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 - 11:00 AM Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at Millbrook Baptist Church with the funeral service following at 11:00 AM with the Reverend Bill Howard, III officiating.  Interment, with US Army honors, will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Active pallbearers will be Josh James Banks (Evans, Ga.), Blair Allan Hodges (Aiken, S.C.), Kevin Parker Glidewell (Atlanta, Ga.), Dr. Ronnie Dexter Lee (Aiken, S.C.), Robert (Robbie) William Shellhouse Jr. (Aiken, S.C.)

Honorary pallbearers will be Earl G. Parker (Aiken, S.C.) and Mike A. Willis (Aiken, S.C.)

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to “My Fathers House” (Stand at the Crossroads Ministries), 846 Eastern Place NE, Aiken, SC 29801.

SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC

Wallis’ online guest book may be signed by visiting www.shellhousefuneralhome.com