Norris was born in Humphrey, Missouri, to Luther and Elgeva (McCalley) Waller on May 11, 1937. He lived his life in Humphrey and graduated from Trenton High School in 1955 where he especially enjoyed playing his trombone in the band. While attending what was then Trenton Junior College he met the love of his life, Fran Warren. That alphabetical seating chart put Waller and Warren in close proximity!
After deciding school could wait a bit, Norris went to Denver to work and live with his older brother, Noel. But he maintained a relationship with that Warren girl and she said, “Yes!” Norris and Fran were married on a hot June 5, 1958, at the Edinburg Baptist Church. Their honeymoon was a trip returning to Denver to stay and work. They decided to return to Kansas City where Norris worked while Fran finished her college degree.
They moved to Cameron, Missouri, where Norris worked for Cameron Mutual Insurance. He moved to work as a Claims Adjuster and the family moved to Higginsville in 1966, where he and Fran still live today. After leaving the insurance industry, Norris earned his teaching degree from Central Missouri State University and began teaching Industrial Arts/Shop until his retirement in 1990.
Norris enjoyed “raising” a variety of animals on their hobby farm-rabbits, Nubian goats, Boer goats, and cattle. He particularly enjoyed raising and showing red Simmental cattle. He was very proud of his Missouri State Fair Grand Champion bull, Truck! One daughter remarked that Truck’s bull shed had better siding than her own house!
Norris’s later years have been spent restoring antique tractors, especially Farmalls. He has shown and driven these tractors in parades and Fall Festivals. Norris was a member of Grace United Methodist Church of Higginsville. He has been a Methodist all his life and even converted a strong Baptist girl to join him when they married. The Masonic Lodge was a very important part of his life. He rose through the ranks to Worshipful Master and was recently honored with his 60-year member pin.
Down through the years Norris touched and impacted many lives. Through his activities, but most importantly by his teaching the kids who came through his shop classes, including both of his daughters. Rarely an entire week went by that he didn’t have “one of my kids” stop and talk with him as he ate his breakfast and had coffee at McDonalds! Mr. Waller taught a lot of life skills to a bunch of kids – Measure twice; Cut once.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Fran (Warren), two daughters, Melody LaPreze and Amy (Kent) Tieman. Four grandchildren: Abigail (Jeremy) Morris of Lake Saint Louis; Emily (Drew) Pfyl of Lee’s Summit; Ross (Raschel) and Chad (Haley) Tieman all of Alma, Missouri. Eight great-grandchildren: Annabelle and Caleb Morris; Avery Pfyl; Rhen, Ripp, and Reese Tieman; and Henry and Hazel Tieman. Niece Nancy Waller Carter and her family, and numerous other nieces and nephews.
Norris is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Noel and Robert Leon and their spouses.
Dad, you will be greatly missed. You left us behind with much wisdom. If a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing it right. You did a good job – you lived this life right!
A visitation is scheduled on Thursday, February 12, 2026 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at Stewart-Hoefer Funeral Home, with a Masonic Service starting at 5:30 PM. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, February 13, 2026 at Grace United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the City Cemetery. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.stewarthoeferfuneralhome.com
Source: KMZU, The Farm
