Phillip Leonard Waller

Phillip Leonard Waller, lovingly known to many as “Uncle Buck,” passed away September 5, 2020 in Wichita, Kansas. Born December 14, 1954 to Jake and Millie Waller in Wichita, where he spent his youth with his family and lifelong best friend Jim Pirtle enjoying life in the College Hill neighborhood, most notably while driving in his treasured 1957 Cadillac Coupe DeVille. Phil graduated with the class of 1972 from Wichita East High School and attended Kansas State University thereafter. Phil spent nearly two decades living in Kansas City, where he was a long-time parishioner of the original Stroud’s Restaurant, the best location in his opinion. Phil wore the hats of several employers and ended his working years in a customer service role for Conco Construction Company in Wichita. Phil was a charismatic, unique, loving, and beloved figure whose life and personality is hard to capture in words. Those who were fortunate enough to spend any time with him never forgot it. Conversations with Phil were usually very entertaining and regularly circled the topics of air conditioning, life in the 1950s and 60s, and of loved ones passed. He had much love for his extended family, and in his own way “baptized” the younger generations with his creative language, loving criticism, and caloric foods. It was typical of young children within his sphere to be astonished upon discovering the Great Truth that “Uncle Buck” was not Phil’s birth name. A man with no concern for modern trends, Phil thoroughly enjoyed a hobby of collecting, restoring, and gifting vintage small appliances, specifically Vornado fans. His hobby of sourcing small appliances eventually morphed into a small business he operated, specializing in such equipment. Phil’s home was a museum of sorts and was a perfect representation of all things he was enthusiastic about: his family, life in decades past, and was pleasantly filled with items reminiscent of an earlier time. His holiday décor, and specifically the Christmas trees, were known to be so intensely electrified that they presented a fire hazard. Cuisine was an important part and great source of enjoyment in Phil’s life. His passion for rich foods included Stroud’s gravy, which he considered a meal in and of itself. His homemade peanut brittle and chocolate treats were quickly consumed by all at gatherings of family and friends. Phil was a loyal patron of many local diners and restaurants, especially those filled with old-time décor and mannerisms not yet nostalgic. During these pursuits, he charmed waitstaff with his unique ability to custom order menu items. Phil’s quick wit, infectious laugh, and long memory will be sorely missed by all. May our beloved Uncle Buck, who so gloriously taught the beauty of the past, be present in us now and live on in the future for those that survive him: his sister, Judy (Bill) Hess; his identical twin brother, Mike (Teana) Waller; and his many nieces and nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his brother, Dan (Marilyn) Waller; father, Jake Waller; and mother, Millie Waller. A private service will be held Saturday, September 12, 2020, on Monkey Island at Grand Lake, Oklahoma. Phil loved dogs, and dogs loved Phil (mainly because he fed them Twinkies). If you would like to honor Phil’s memory, please consider a donation to the Kansas Humane Society, 3313 N. Hillside, Wichita, KS 67219. Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.