Wally Harrelson dies : News-Record.com : Greensboro & the Triad's most trusted source for local news and analysis

GREENSBORO — Wallace C. “Wally” Harrelson, a former Guilford County commissioner and the county’s only public defender, has died. He was 74.

“When he was in the courtroom, he was a real firestorm,” Guilford County District Attorney Doug Henderson said. “With Wally, trial work was a contact sport, it truly was.”

In 1970, Harrelson became one of the state’s first public defenders in an experimental program when he was appointed by then-Gov. Robert W. Scott. He has been Guilford County’s only public defender.

Harrelson had not tried a case in about a decade, Henderson said. He has been handling administrative duties of the public defender's office, which has grown from two assistants, one secretary and one investigator handling about 1,000 cases to more than two dozen assistants, seven secretaries and four investigators handling about 9,000 cases.

Harrelson had been hospitalized for the past month with a lung ailment, Henderson said.

Fred Lind, a longtime assistant public defender, has been acting as the county's public defender during Harrelson's illness.

A Democrat, Harrelson served on the county's Board of Commissioners for one term from 1992 to 1996.

He worked on the presidential campaigns of Walter Mondale, Michael Dukakis and Al Gore and served as the county's Democratic Party chairman from 1983-85.

Visitation will be 6–8 p.m.Friday at Forbis & Dick, 1118 N. Elm St., Greensboro. Memorials may be sent to Fellowship Hall Inc., at P.O. Box 13890 Greensboro, NC 27415 or to a charity of the giver's choice.

A memorial service will be at noon, Saturday at West Market Street United Methodist Church, 302 W. Market St.

Read more in Wednesday’s News & Record or our e-Edition.

Diane M. Hooker

February 8, 2011 - 5:42 pm EST

I have met two men in my lifetime that have exemplified the true meaning of father, friend and confidant. My father-in-law was the first and Wally was the second. Wally often told us that a man was innocent until proven guilty and he meant that with every fiber of his being. He was there when we needed someone to talk to and get advice. To my mother-in-law Bernice he was a true confidant. Our lives will truly be impacted by the loss of Wally. We will miss you Wally and we will always love you.

Diane and Bernice Hooker
Rest in peace Wally.

wstutts

February 8, 2011 - 7:03 pm EST

Wally was a great friend. He did so much for so many people. He was the driving force for the building of the Alcohol-Drug Treatment Center, ADS, on West Wendover Avenue . Wally had a penchant for the down-trodden and minorities. He will be missed by many.

Wayne Stutts

rightwingnemesis

February 9, 2011 - 8:35 am EST

Wally will be missed and I can echo the thoughts that there was no one else like him. He was a Democrat and proud of it. His finest days were when John Kernodle was chair of the schoolboard and he and Wally would offer each other counsel. Both were "recovering" and both were serious about leaving this county better than they found it. Rest in peace, Wally.

Henry

February 9, 2011 - 9:56 am EST

I remember him as the chairman of the County Commissioners. He was a good man

Today

February 9, 2011 - 10:52 am EST

Wally was a teddy bear inside! Always willing to listen and help. I never saw him turn away anyone. He did a lot for this community, especially for the people in it. Now Wally, go rest in peace.
Jackie Pate

carrimt

February 9, 2011 - 11:40 am EST

The "oldest rat in the barn" will be missed tremendously. It was my pleasure to work with him for over twenty years. Thanks for keeping us/them in check all these years Wally! Love and prayers go out to the family in the loss of this extraordinary gentleman! God has claimed one of the good guys.

GrayC

February 9, 2011 - 1:29 pm EST

I worked with Wally when he was the chair of the democratic party. He was always passionate about the fact that the Democratic party stood for the neglected people in our society, not the people of money and power. His words and passion were and are an inspiration!

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