Dwayne Walls has been an integral part of the Bennington Rodeo since its beginnings. Over his 46 years as Rodeo Chairman, he donated countless hours planning, promoting and managing all aspects of the rodeo.

Dwayne Walls passed away on November 11, 2022, at the age of 75. Born in Texas, Dwayne attended school in Duncan, OK then went on to graduate from Oklahoma State University. He remained an OSU Cowboy fan throughout his life. He married his high school sweetheart, Shari Deevers on August 11, 1967, in Duncan. Their marriage of 55 years was blessed with two children. Jeff and his wife Nikki reside in Tuttle, OK. Brandi (Guethle) and her husband Mark currently live in Oklahoma City. Dwayne and Shari have eight grandchildren, Brooklyn, Kennedy, Austin, Chase, Kyle, Kelsey, Morgan and Tanner and three great-grandchildren, Jayden, BraeLynn and Kohen.

Dwayne worked as a Vocational Agriculture teacher in Miltonvale for two years before moving his family to Bennington to begin his banking career as an Ag Lender at the Bennington State Bank. He retired as Executive Vice President in March 2016 after 45 years with the bank.

Always a rodeo fan, he endowed two scholarships at OSU to benefit agriculture students and the university rodeo program. He was even an owner of bucking bulls. Many of the awards for excellence presented to the Bennington Rodeo over the past years were due in large part to Dwayne’s leadership. As the primary fund-raising project of the Bennington Lions Club, the rodeo has benefited the Bennington Community by sponsoring youth events in Bennington and the surrounding area.

The Bennington Lions Club gratefully acknowledges Dwayne’s numerous and heartfelt contributions to making the Bennington Rodeo a successful event since 1976. In 2023 we honor Dwayne’s legacy as rodeo fans once again congregate in Bennington Kansas for three spectacular evenings of rodeo competition.

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Thank you and all of our members for your
years of dedication to the community.