By: Saeed Akhtar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter

A retired dentist, historian, lecturer, author, devoted man of faith and a remarkable storyteller with an incredible ability to recall facts. Emeryville’s Dr. Bryan Walls is without a doubt all of those, and recently he added another well-deserved accolade to his resume.

Last month, he was presented with the University of Windsor’s Alumni Association’s highest honour – the Alumni Award of Merit.

“I feel extra special in receiving this award from my friends and neighbours. The University of Windsor was a pinnacle experience in my life,” said Walls.

The award recognizes graduates whose distinguished accomplishments have brought pride and distinction to the University of Windsor.

Celebrating his 80th birthday in early May, he may be moving a little more slowly due to mobility issues, but his legacy is certainly recognized, as he is a member of both the Order of Ontario and the Order of Canada, as well as a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Walls is a direct descendant of enslaved people and is well known nationally for creating what is now a national historic site – the John Freeman Walls Historic Site and Underground Railway Museum.

He has given tours to thousands of people since the 1980s, when the site opened, and he can recite word-for-word what is written on the plaque that preserves an important part of both American and Canadian history.

“God has allowed me to use history and personal family struggles, especially of the underground railroad. It’s a wonderful history to learn on how to be good citizens.”

His beginnings were humble, as he attended the First Baptist Church of Puce and, right across the road, S.S.#9. When Walls reached high school, he began to establish himself as a leader. He was elected the first black student council president at Assumption and had the opportunity to meet one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time, Louis Armstrong.

Armstrong was playing at Windsor’s Elmwood Casino, and he had taken time out to speak to students at the school. Walls and his family were privileged to hear the great musician perform.

“I remember going backstage to his dressing room, where he was warming up on the trumpet. I said, Mr. Armstrong, we appreciate you coming to the school. He told me to keep studying history. He didn’t have much formal education, but he knew the history of jazz.”

Walls said he had a chat with Armstrong, during which he noted that history is a way of promoting mutual respect, reconciliation and keeping love in our hearts.

Opening up the Freeman Site came partially as a result of his book, The Road that led to Somewhere, which is a documented and well-researched novel about the underground railway.

And while he may be 80, Walls still faithfully manages the John Freeman Walls site and is pleased to say his daughter Brittany, another U of Windsor grad, is ready to carry on the family’s history.

Asked what advice he has to others, the octogenarian says, “Stay in school and get a good education and just because you are rich in spirit, you will be able to live and work and be a benefit to this great country.”

Wise words from a wise man.