Stella Decil

April 26, 1921 - July 28, 2009

Stella Walters Decil, 88, of Prescott Valley, Arizona died Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at her home. Del arrived in Phoenix at the age of two, in 1923. By 1928, at the time of her mother's death from tuberculosis. she had become one with the desert and the town. Years later she had the chance to return to her beloved state and did so by accepting the position of art director in advertising with Diamonds Department Stores in 1962. (Dillards) She graduated from high school with two scholarships and art training began at the Indianapolis Academy of Commercial Art and John Heron Art Institute. A career began as a staff artist with the Indianapolis News, then as part owner of Arts Inc., an art school./ad agency. Later she worked as art director for the Frank R. Jelleff Company in Washington, D,C. then returned to Indianapolis and the Wm H Block Company as creative art director. Then known in business as Del Walters, she was named as one of the top ten fashion artists in the United States. Her works appeared in illustrations for magazines, art for ad agencies and newspapers. In 1958 she was honored as Advertising Woman of the Year by the Indianapolis Advertising Club. In 1968 she began showing her oils and watercolors with fine art galleries and since has had fifteen solo exhibits, winning top awards in local and national juried shows. In 1973 she was awarded honorary membership in the prestigious Hoosier Salon of Indiana. In 1987 she was selected as one of the artists to represent the state in "Arizona, Past, Present and Future", an exhibit displayed in the State Capitol Building. A popular workshop instructor and juror throughout Arizona and New Mexico she also taught painting and drawing for the Phoenix Art Museum and Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department. Frequently she critiqued the work of students at Maricopa Tech and for seven years was a juror for the entire youth division of the Arizona State Fair. Articles have been published about her in numerous national magazines and newspapers including "Who's Who" and in "Prescott Woman", November 2007. Her paintings are in collections in over twenty states. Del was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Casimir R. Decil, "Casey" in 2007. She was his "soul mate" and will be interred with him at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Cave Creek, Arizona.