Jack Knox "Rusty" Wall, aged 79, passed away peacefully, on August 11, leaving behind a legacy of faith, family, and distinguished service to his community. Nicknamed "Rusty" for his fiery red hair, he was born on January 15, 1947, in Abilene, Texas, to his beloved parents, Jack ("Poppy") and Ruth ("Mama Ruth") Wall.

Rusty grew up in Odessa, Texas, where he graduated from Odessa HIgh School in 1965.  A brilliant student, he attended The University of Texas at Austin, earning two Bachelor's degrees and a dual Juris Doctorates (J.D.) in 1977. Rusty also proudly served his country as an Artillery Officer in the Texas National Guard, achieving the rank of Captain.

In after years, a definitive highlight of his distinguished legal career was successfully guiding a criminal appeal case through a U.S. Supreme Court review.  A devout Southern Baptist Christian, Rusty lived his faith actively. Alongside his loving wife, Iris, he spent a lifetime participating in church ministry. He served faithfully as a deacon, taught Sunday School, and led adult education classes across several congregations.

Rusty was a man of many deep passions. He possessed an unwavering pride in his Southern upbringing and a lifelong love for being a Texan. Inspired by his admiration for his older sister, Linda, he maintained a lifelong appreciation for public speaking and debate. An avid historian, he held a never-ending thirst for learning about U.S. and World history-ranging from ancient Greece and Rome to the American Civil War, World War II, and the Cold War-devouring historical books, television, and movies. He also found great joy in meticulously acquiring, building, and displaying scale models of planes, tanks, naval vessels, and spacecraft. Above all, Rusty cherished quiet moments spent at home with his family and his faithful dog, Angie.

Rusty was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Ruth Wall; his second wife, Erin Marcum Wall; and his son, Marlow Dotson Wall.

Rusty is survived by his wife, Iris; his son, Toby and his wife, Kate; his grandchildren, Ruby and Gavin, children of his late son, Marlow; his stepdaughters, Jennifer and Wendy; his grandchildren, Judd, Jake, and Haleigh, children of Jennifer; his granddaughter Emma, whom he helped raise; and grandson JJ; children of Wendy; his sister, Linda Bickel, and her husband Steve, as well as his nieces and extended family.

A celebration of Rusty's life will be held at 2pm on Saturday, August 22nd at Wiley Center located at 420 East US Hwy 377, Granbury, TX 76048. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend. A private burial will take place in Odessa, TX at a later time.

Arrangements under the care of Wiley Funeral Home, Grandbury, Texas.