Remarkably intelligent with a keen memory, acute mental and physical faculties, he had not suffered any serious illness since his slavery days.  He claimed that the early hardships of slavery left him willowy and strong, able to withstand any future strain.

A devout Bible student, he was a living example of “live and let live”, practicing the Golden Rule every day to the best of his ability.  One of his greatest pleasures was to have good, friendly people drop in for a chat.

Asked if he thought his race had benefited, he cited a case in point: a few weeks earlier there had been a meeting at the El Dorado courthouse.  In that meeting, he raised his voice as a free man, capable of making his own way, in his own way.  “Once,” he said, “we were bound for life to nothing. Now,” he emphasized, “we are bound to life by everything.”

“My race has now, in my lifetime, come from underneath to where it has produced some of the greatest artists on the modern scene.  Culturally, artistically and economically, my race now has given our good United States some of the very finest personalities and intellects that can be found.  I am not only happy – I am proud to have lived, through thick and thin, this great transformation of my people.”

Reuben was a charter member of the CME (Colored Methodist) Church, once located in the 300 block of North Main; he also was an ordained minister.  He was remembered for his honesty, deeply believing that your word was your bond. He attributed his long life to plenty of rest, abstinence from harmful drinks, hard work and eating good, wholesome food.

Waller died on August 20, 1945 following an illness of only a few hours.  He was 105 years, 7 months and 15 days of age.  Three sons, two daughters, sixteen grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild survived him.

In his time as a Buffalo soldier, Reuben became acquainted with many legendary figures of the Old West, including “Buffalo Bill” Cody, serving as Brevet Major General Eugene A. Carr’s chief scout, “Wild Bill” Hickok and Jack Stillwell, both also serving as a scouts.  His acquaintance with these and other well- known pioneers made his name well known throughout the West.  He also knew George Custer, though his opinion of the General was low.
 

A tall man with a long white beard, Reuben was a familiar figure on the streets of El Dorado, driving a two-ton weather-beaten dray wagon drawn by a white horse.  As he drove down the street, all the kids seemed to know him and he was kind to them.  Dr. Gene Williams later recalled how he and his brother, Wade, as boys spent long hours with Mr. Waller, listening to his tales as a Buffalo Soldier of the old west.  This probably had an influence on the art produced by both in later life.