Stratton Clark Walling of Water Mill and St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, died November 24 in Bangkok, Thailand, at the age of 88 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.
Born on January 1, 1921, in Providence, Rhode Island, he was the son of Lester S. Walling and Edith Walling, née Jacobs. Mr. Walling attended Brown University, graduating in 1943, and served during World War II in the U.S. Army, 55th Army Ground Forces Band.
Mr. Walling discovered his love of acting at the age of 18. He first performed professionally at the Weston Playhouse in Weston, Vermont, in 1939 in the role of the young boyfriend, in a production of “You Can’t Take It With You.” An actor all his life, he was a member of SAG, Actor’s Equity, and AFTRA. He performed on Broadway, Off Broadway, television as well as movies. His last acting role was, ironically, in “You Can’t Take It With You” in 1984, in the role of Grandpa at the Hampton Theatre Company in Quogue at the age of 83.
Survivors recalled that just last year, at age 87, he was climbing on his roof to cut down some overhanging tree limbs: He was spry to the end.
Predeceased by his lifelong partner, Samuel R. Rolston, Mr. Walling leaves behind many friends, survivors said, who have enjoyed his wit, energy and his many stories of life, theater and survival.
on Dec 16, 2009