Sam Waller begins duties as new Albany News writer

By Donnie A. Lucas

The News has hired veteran sportswriter Sam Waller as a staff member effective with this week’s edition.

Waller, 57, brings a wealth of reporting experience along with his 32-year newspaper career.

“We are really excited that Sam was available and the circumstances were right to allow us to have him join our staff,” editor Melinda Lucas said. “We were looking for a part-time writer to replace someone who left in June, and Sam was looking for a part-time position.”

Waller was born in Albany, moving with his family to Breckenridge three years later. Later, after moves to Missouri and Arkansas, the family returned back to Breckenridge where he graduated in 1981.

He attended college at Cisco College, Baylor University, and West Texas State in Canyon.

He served as editor of the student newspaper at West Texas, studying agriculture and journalism.

Waller first worked at the Hereford Brand for two years, moving to the Sweetwater Reporter as a general news writer. He moved to Jacksonville, Texas to work for a sister newspaper as a sportswriter.

He has also worked in the sports departments of newspapers in Amarillo, Carlsbad NM, Sulphur Springs, Odessa, Abilene, and Sherman.

He worked as a sports writer for nine years at the Abilene Reporter-News, covering high school sports events, including several Albany football playoff games, while in Abilene.

He left Abilene after a major staff reduction when the paper sold to the Gannett newspaper group, finding a position at the Odessa American.

Waller suffered a stroke two years ago that affected the left side of his body, but after months of rehab, he is mobile again.

“I was a little concerned when Sam told me he types with just his right hand, but he has no problem keeping up and churning out the work,” Lucas said.

Caught in another downsizing at the Odessa American due to the coronavirus pandemic, Waller has lived in a retirement community the last six months.

When the opportunity for a part-time position opened in Albany, Waller says he was ready to get back home.

He is the son of Weldon “Jigger” Waller, who retired back here in Albany several years ago, and Barbara Ringwald of Abilene, both Albany natives.

“And if anyone wonders if I am kin to the other Wallers here in Albany, I definitely am,” he said.