Major James Walls Memorial Highway Naming

Dec 05, 2013 at 11:25 am by bryan


The community is invited to remember a World War II hero and Smyrna business legend. South Lowery Street, from Stewarts Creek to Highway 840 is being renamed "Major James Walls Memorial Highway" in a ceremony Friday at 2pm. Major Walls' son Joe and daughter Polly talk about the honor for their father...

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Polly owns and operates the Omni Hut Restaurant, which was started by her father. Joe owns North American Nursery, just down from the Omni Hut. A ceremony and sign unveiling will be held at 2pm Friday, inside the Omni Hut Restaurant.

State Representative Mike Sparks and Governor Haslam hold the new sign that will designate South Lowery Street, from Stewarts Creek to Highway 840, as Major Hames Walls Memorial Highway.


(L-R) Joe Walls, Bryan Barrett and Polly Walls remember Major James Walls in a recent WGNS interview. Listen to the entire interview below.

PREVIOUS NEWS STORY:
State Representative Mike Sparks (R–Smyrna) and State Senator Jim Tracy (R–Shelbyville) announced that a portion of South Lowry Street in Smyrna will be named in honor of World War II hero James Walls on Friday, December 6th during an official ceremony with the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Major Walls, who passed away on March 5th of last year, was a well-known member of the Smyrna community and founder of the local Omni Hut restaurant. During WWII, Major Walls was stationed at Pearl Harbor when the area was bombed on December 7th 1941 by the Japanese military.

“Major James Walls truly exemplified what Tom Brokaw termed the “Greatest Generation”, said Representative Mike Sparks. “Major Walls gave me my first job at age 13 and went on to employ hundreds of others over his lifetime. His entrepreneurial vision, his love for country, and his passion for helping others will forever be missed in our community.”

For those unable to attend the official highway ceremony, a smaller replica version of the new Major James Walls Memorial Highway sign will be available at the Omni Hut restaurant for those interested in writing messages in support of the memory of Major Walls. The replica sign will be hung in the restaurant at a future date.

“I’m honored to be a part of the ceremony naming part of South Lowry Street after Major James Walls,” said Senator Tracy. “Major Walls was a World War II hero and a valued member of our community.”

Additional Information Submitted to WGNS by Cade Cothren with the TN House of Representatives:

The Omni Hut restaurant opens at 5:00 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturday in Smyrna. The restaurant can be reached by phone at (615) 459-4870.

Mike Sparks serves as Vice-Chairman of the House Transportation Committee. Jim Tracy is Chairman of the Senate Transportation & Safety Committee. Both legislators represent a portion of Rutherford County in the Tennessee General Assembly.

WHO: State Representative Mike Sparks; State Senator Jim Tracy; Local elected officials; friends and family members of Major James Walls
WHAT: Naming of the new Major James Walls Memorial Highway in Smyrna
WHEN: December 6, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Site is located at approximately 618 South Lowry Street in Smyrna. The memorial sign will be placed near North American Nursery.

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