Ernest Clayton Wall, Jr.

Memorial services for Ernest Wall, 95, of Portales will be held on April 6, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church in Portales, New Mexico with Rev. Wesley McAfee and Dickie Wall officiating.  Honorary pallbearers will be Ian Pierce, Kress Pierce, Barrett Power, Corey Thompson, John Jacobs, Kadence Power and Jaxon Jacobs.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the breakfast fund at Calvary Baptist Church in honor of Ernest, continuing the ministry that meant so much to him.

Ernest Clayton Wall, Jr., age 95, peacefully went home to be with his Lord and Savior on March 30, 2026, at his home, surrounded by love.

Ernest was born on January 9, 1931, in Sayre, Oklahoma, to Docia Esther (Franklin) Wall and Ernest Clayton Wall, Sr. He spent his early years in Oklahoma before moving with his family to Morton, Texas, and later to Whiteface, Texas. At the age of 16, he moved to Portales, New Mexico, where he would build a life centered on faith, family, and hard work.

After graduating from Portales, Ernest began working at a small grocery store, where he became a skilled butcher. In 1951, he answered the call to serve his country by joining the United States Army. He was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and faithfully served one year in Germany. It was during this time that God led him to the love of his life, Maye Short.

Following his honorable discharge, Ernest and Maye were united in marriage on May 24, 1953, at Floyd Baptist Church. Their 73-year marriage was a beautiful reflection of unwavering love, faith, and devotion.

Ernest later began his career with the Portales Post Office, where he faithfully served for 32 years. He was known for his strong work ethic, kindness, and quiet strength. 

More than anything, Ernest loved people. He had a servant’s heart and found great joy in feeding others. For many years, he faithfully prepared and served monthly breakfasts at his church—something that brought him immense happiness and was a true reflection of his love for the Lord and his community.

He also had a deep love for music. Ernest loved to sing, especially at family gatherings, and those moments brought great joy to all who were blessed to hear him. Outside of his service and music, his favorite pastimes were spent with his family at their cabin in Ruidoso, New Mexico. However, his most favorite place on earth was their lake house at Ute Lake in Logan, New Mexico. He had a profound love for the beauty of the lake and the community there, often calling Logan “God’s country.” His voice and presence in these cherished places will be dearly missed, but the memories created there will be treasured forever.

Above all, Ernest was a man of deep and abiding faith. He loved the Lord, cherished his family, and lived a life marked by humility, integrity, and grace.

He is survived by his loving wife of 73 years, Maye Wall; his son, Dickie Wall and wife Denise of Hobbs, New Mexico; his daughter, Cyndee Jones and husband Phillip of Portales, New Mexico; and his sister, Etta Marie Gilbert of Plainview, TX. He also leaves behind five cherished grandchildren: Kim Power, Kenda Jacobs, Kristi Thompson, Ian Pierce, and Kress Pierce; along with nine great-grandchildren who brought him great joy.  He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Andy and Lloyd Wall and a sister, Leona Summers.

Ernest’s life was a testimony to God’s faithfulness. He walked humbly, loved deeply, and served others with a joyful heart. While he will be deeply missed, his family finds peace in knowing he is now in the presence of his Savior, hearing the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

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