Obituary
Leanne M Porter Wallis

Leanne M. Porter Wallis, 51, of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, passed away on December 24, 2025, after a long battle with multiple illnesses. She was born on April 4, 1974, to Helen M. Porter and the late Gary L. Porter. She was the wife of Bill Wallis and a devoted mother to Liam and Loralei, whom she loved dearly. Leanne spent much of her childhood on her grandparents’ farm, where she loved playing with the barn cats and harvesting corn with her family each August. An avid reader from a young age, she was rarely seen without a book in hand. She was a member of Prince Street United Brethren Church, where she was baptized and actively participated in youth group activities, Bible quiz team, and attended Rhodes Grove Christian Camp. A 1992 graduate of Shippensburg Area Senior High School, Leanne cherished the lifelong friendships she formed during her high school years. She possessed exceptional musical talents, including playing piano and singing. She had a clear, warm, and effortless soprano voice. During high school, she performed with the Sharps Jazz Choir, Jazz Band, Orchestra, and marching band, and developed a lifelong love of Broadway musicals and trips to New York City. Leanne attended West Chester University, majoring in Secondary Education with a concentration in History and a minor in music. During her time at West Chester, Leanne formed many close friendships that became a second family to her. She taught private music lessons and later sang with the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia. Professionally, Leanne built a successful career in banking, where she excelled in project management. Known for her problem-solving skills, she earned the “duct tape award” for her resourcefulness and practical ingenuity. She formed lasting friendships with colleagues, and her gift for connecting with people extended far beyond the workplace. Intelligent and endlessly curious, Leanne was a trivia enthusiast and an avid reader who often read several books simultaneously, enjoying a wide range of genres that included biographies, romance, mysteries, and world history. She loved to travel and organized many trips with her friends at home and abroad. She was known for her humor, fierce loyalty, and generosity of spirit. Leanne was a godmother and aunt to many of her friends’ children and remained in touch with music students long after lessons had ended. Leanne loved playing pool with her father, baking with her mother, and playing tennis with her sister. Leanne will be remembered as a loving mother, a devoted daughter, a wonderful sister, and a treasured friend. Her bright spirit left an indelible mark on all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her father, Gary L. Porter; her grandparents Bernard A. Lytle and Mary A. Lytle; and her grandparents George D. Porter and Edith Porter. She is survived by her mother, Helen M. Porter; her sister, Debbie L. Porter; her husband, William R. Wallis III; her children, William R. Wallis IV and Loralei A. Wallis; and many extended family members and dear friends. To honor Leanne’s wishes, the family will not hold a formal funeral service. She will live on through music and happy memories shared by all those who loved her.