George J. Wallis, a retired engineering executive and a World War II veteran, died Wednesday of cancer at his Ocean Pines home. The former Timonium resident was 85.
Born and raised in Greenfield, Mass., Mr. Wallis earned a degree in engineering from Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H.
He learned to fly an airplane as a young man, and he joined General Claire Chennault's American Volunteer Group in a unit that flew supplies from Burma to China in 1941. As a result of this service, he was awarded British Royal Air Force Wings. After the United States entered the war, he was commissioned as a major in what was then the Army Air Corps, later the Air Force.
Family members said that he returned to China for flying missions and was shot down three times.
"He walked away, unhurt, from every crash," said a stepson, Edward K. Gerner Jr. of Lutherville. "He was proud of his service with the Flying Tigers and always kept a picture of General Chennault in his room."
After returning from military service, Mr. Wallis owned and operated the Chase House, a Vermont ski resort. He moved to Baltimore in 1951 and began working for the Industrial Corp., an engineering and surveying company engaged in naval and maritime work based on Charles Street in downtown Baltimore. Mr. Wallis became its chief executive officer in 1972. He later sold real estate for the old Charles H. Steffey Co. and O'Connor, Piper & Flynn. He was also a real estate appraiser who evaluated property for the Baltimore County Orphans' Court.
Mr. Wallis was a member of the Towson Elks Lodge and the Parkville American Legion. A boating enthusiast, he was a past commodore of the Baltimore Yacht Club in Middle River and belonged to the Ocean Pines Yacht Club.
A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at noon tomorrow at St. John Neumann Roman Catholic Church, Route 589 and Beauchamp Road, Berlin, where he was a member.
In addition to his stepson, Mr. Wallis is also survived by his wife of 33 years, the former Leona Debold; a sister, Pauline Wissman of Greenfield, Mass.; a stepdaughter, Carol Monfredo of Towson; and six grandchildren.