Nov. 19, 1937 — Nov. 7, 2013

NATCHEZ— Funeral services for Walter J. “Sonny” Squalls, Jr., 74, of Natchez, who died Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013, at Franklin County Memorial Hospital in Meadville, will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Pilgrim Baptist Church with the Rev. J. L. Hammitt officiating.

Burial will follow at the Natchez National Cemetery under the direction of Robert D. Mackel and Sons Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 1 to 7 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. until service time at the church.

Walter was born Nov. 19, 1937, in Natchez, the son of Walter Squalls Sr. and Laura Dunmore Squalls.

He was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church.

Walter attended Natchez public schools and served in the U.S. Navy upon his graduation. He attended LaSalle College, Louisiana State University and the University of Miami Law School.

He served his community in many capacities, helping old and young alike and always concentrating on ways to make lives of needy people better.

In the 1970s, he organized the first bicycle rodeo for young people. He also organized the first Neighborhood Watch program. For several decades, he helped raise money for poor children in Natchez and Adams County.

He worked in numerous places throughout the Miss-Lou, having worked at Shadyside Grocery, Jitney, M and M Grocery, the Natchez Community Mart as a butcher and Holsum Bakery.

He worked at Grand Gulf Nuclear Plant, K-Mart, Dallas Police Department and security manager for Lady Luck Casino.

He was the first black disc jockey for WMIS radio station, where he worked for over 40 years. He was also the first black commissioned law enforcement officer in Mississippi and the first black Natchez policeman.

Walter was recognized by The Natchez Democrat as the 2002 Unsung Hero.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John Squalls; sister, Arnita Davis; and son, Carl Byrd Williams.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Betty Squalls; sons, Walter Squalls and wife, Cynthia, and O’Shae Squalls and wife, Lori, all of Dallas, Carlos Bailey and wife, Linda, of Natchez, and Ronnie Williams and wife, Linda, of Roxie; daughters, Paula Davis of Mich. and Angela Squalls Williams and her fiance, Ricky McGruder, of Natchez; a number of grandchildren; great-grandchildren; uncle, Horace Dunmore; God-daughter, Veronica Montgomery; one brother-in-law; five sisters-in-law; special friends, Josephine Green and Tiffany Green; and a number other relatives.

He will be missed by his radio family and a number of friends in the Miss-Lou and surrounding area.

Special thanks to Natchez Community Hospital, Franklin County Memorial Hospital, Promise Hospital, Dr. Clifford Tillman and Dr. Benjamin Yarbrough.