Edwin "Wally" Wallace Lehman

Edwin Wallace, “Wally”, Lehman of Champaign, IL passed away on October 20, 2024, at 8:05am.

Preceding him in death were his parents and younger brother, Wayne. Wally was born January 25, 1933, in Beaver, Oklahoma to Lewis Webster and Enid Barker Lehman. The family lived in Booker, Texas for eleven years, then purchased land in southwest Missouri near the town of Nevada, Missouri. They bred and raised cattle on their beautiful ranch. Wally attended the Methodist church and graduated from Nevada High School in 1951. In the fall of the same year he enrolled at the University of Missouri to study pre-law. During the Korean War, he was drafted into the Navy, where he served as a Yeoman Second Class. After his honorable discharge, he continued his education at the University of Missouri where he earned a BA in Liberal Arts (1958), a BS in education and an MS in education.

Wally accepted a job in Champaign to begin his 33 year teaching career. He taught social studies at Champaign High School, now named Central. When the new Centennial High School opened in 1968, he moved there to teach U.S. History, Geography, Consumer Education, and Contemporary History. He loved teaching and mentioned many times of being glad he did not pursue a degree in law. He was a sponsor of the National Honor Society. Every year he treated the National Honor Society students to a field trip to Turkey Run State Park in Indiana. He financially sponsored at least two students each year to American Legion Boys State and Girls State Conference.

Wally began his summer travels in 1965 with a grant from the U.S. Office of Education as a Fulbright Scholar to Ethiopia. Two years later he participated in a National Defense Education Program in Latin America. In 1970 he was appointed by the Educational and Travel Institute and People to People Programs as a South America Co-director representing Champaign, Urbana, and surrounding areas. He traveled extensively each summer taking many photographs, which he shared as slides with his classes. Wally loved to travel. In addition to visiting all 50 states, he has been to 102 countries, some more than once. He was never shy about asking tour directors questions or just chatting with fellow travelers. He made friends all over the world.

After retiring in 1992 Wally became a loyal member of the Champaign Exchange Club. He served on the Board of Directors and chaired the Nursing Scholarship Committee for decades. He was involved in many service programs and was presented the Exchangite of the Year Award several times.

In addition to travel, Wally enjoyed bridge, jigsaw puzzles and sports. He participated in a bowling league for twenty years. He was first and foremost a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and of the University of Illinois men’s and women’s teams. He was a 25-year U of I football season ticket holder with his close friends Tom and Nancy Williams. He stayed active by walking outside, in the local malls, in Champaign’s Leonard Center and most recently in the ample halls of Bridle Brook Assisted Living in Mahomet, where he had resided since 2019.

Wally is survived by Geraldine, Kathy and Tiffany Snow of Albuquerque, Elvira Hamm of MacGregor, Canada and his forever friends/chosen family Janis Himes and Becky Sheridan of Champaign. Wally will be deeply missed.

A service will be held from 10:00 am to 10:30a.m on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Sunset’s Mahomet Chapel 1102 Churchill Rd. Mahomet, IL, followed by a social gathering from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home.

Wally will be laid to rest alongside his family in Olive Branch Cemetery in Milo, MO.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Wally's name to Traditions Hospice.