Greenwood Soul Mates – The Duke of Fremont Street
For us, “soul” represents that unique essence each person contributes to their community, weaving a colorful tapestry of stories, talents, cultural experiences, and more. In Greenwood, this tapestry is formed by numerous unique individuals whose captivating stories and deep connections to the region’s food, music and history define our identity as a town and make Greenwood such an extraordinary place to visit. These remarkable individuals are our “Soul Mates.”
Goodbye Vegas, Hello Greenwood: The Duke Finds His Forever Home
Greenwood has its share of Soul Mates – people who belong here, whose roots and relationships give the place part of its character. But Ronald Lloyd Wall, better known as the “The Duke of Fremont Street,” is something different. He’s a Soul Mate to the world – a man whose adventures have carried him across continents, through careers and into the heart of the Delta.
His story begins in Missouri, a blue collar river town along one of the busiest stretches of the Mississippi River between Memphis and St. Louis. Childhood was simple, but Mississippi was never far away, and its river waters became a lifelong thread in his story. Years later, he would ride those same waters again, this time as a riverboat gambler with poker games and blackjack tables.
“I have found myself in fortunate places in my life and that includes the inaugural ride on the riverboat casino, The President in Davenport, Iowa,” he said. “Those riverboats were so much fun. You could jump on and ride down the river playing poker, and they’d bus you back at the end of the ride.”
Early Bets and the Love of the Game
The Duke’s love for games of chance started early. In Missouri, he and a few friends bet on anything they could dream up – even staging mouse races, where he once hit the trifecta. Small wagers and friendly competition became the foundation for a life built around risk and reward, eventually steering toward Las Vegas, the gambler’s mecca. The Duke – a nickname tied to one of Vegas’s most storied streets – can talk about Sin City for hours, each story colored with grit, glitter and good humor
But before cards and casinos, The Duke spent two decades behind a drum kit. As a St. Louis high school class president, he and his brother won a contest that took them to New York for a live appearance on the national TV program The Ted Mack Amateur Hour.
“That was a life-changing event,” he said. “I have an affinity for trains, and we rode trains everywhere – the Pentagon, White House, Madison Square Garden. We did all of that with no cell phones or internet. I miss those days.”
A Life Of Passions, Not Hobbies
Over the years, The Duke’s life has been pure Americana. He’s been a musician, sculptor, riverboat gambler and international dealer of toy soldiers. Ask if those pursuits were hobbies and he’ll set the record straight. “I don’t use the word hobbies, I say it’s my passion,” he said. “I have a passion for sculpting. I have a passion for gambling and the casino life. I have a passion for adventure. I have a passion for history.”
History, in fact, is what brought him to Greenwood. He had lived in Ocean Springs, Biloxi, and other Mississippi towns before his move to Las Vegas. Over time, the Vegas neon lost its glow.
“In Vegas, when anything architectural gets old, they just tear it down and build something bigger,” he said. “That’s not my philosophy. I love history, and that’s the reason I’m here in Greenwood.”
With the freedom to live anywhere in the world – and having already called six different continents home – The Duke chose Mississippi to spend the rest of his days. Natchez, with its abundance of antebellum Southern homes, seemed like the obvious choice. Yet none felt quite right. On the Gulf Coast, he visited properties but couldn’t pull the trigger on anything. Then he spotted a Greenwood listing online and called realtor Pam Powers.
“I got in touch with her and drove four and a half hours to Greenwood to see this house,” he recalled. “Within five minutes of walking through the door, I asked what they wanted for it. She told me, I agreed, it was that quick. Pam has become my new best friend.” He loved it so much that he also purchased the property behind it, stretching to the Yazoo River.
Preserving History, One Street at a Time
From there, he drove into the community and strolled down Main Street. He admired the historic homes with timeless charm and the commercial buildings with character in every brick. Greenwood wasn’t just something to admire from a distance; he felt compelled to help preserve it. To that end, The Duke keeps a “trash grabber” in his truck, always ready to pick up litter to make Greenwood look its best.
“It’s all about pride in your tradition and history,” he said. “Vegas demolishes history and Greenwood maintains it. I can’t wait to bring my passion so that maybe our younger generation learns from us and keeps it going.”
His passions run deep – antiques, coins, rare collectibles, and Civil War artifacts, especially historic firearms that tell their own stories. But these days, his greatest passion is Greenwood itself. In a recent conversation, someone asked how long he planned to stay. His answer was simple and staunch: “Until my dying breath.”
Greenwood as a Land of Opportunity
If he had to sum up the town in one word, it would be “opportunity.” Where others see a vacant building, The Duke sees the potential to restore and revive, just as many in Greenwood have already done with the help of like-minded residents.
“Greenwood is like a ripe fruit tree with plenty of fruit hanging on the vines and limbs,” he said. “I’m ready to mix and mingle with local folks who have that same ambition. We can all roll up our sleeves, put in a little elbow grease, and get to work to make Greenwood the best it can be.”
Ask him about “soul,” and Greenwood quickly enters the conversation. The Duke has always loved the South, and while Las Vegas was home for 20 years, it never held the same appeal as his new home in Greenwood, Mississippi.
“In real estate, they always say location, location, location,” he said. “Well, I make my own location. You hear people say, ‘he lives in his own world,’ – well, I’m one of those people. We’ll all be gone one day, and the only thing left will be your name. So treat it with honor, integrity and civility.”
Forever Home
For the Duke, Greenwood’s greatest treasure is its people.
“It’s the Southern hospitality, the Southern charm, and how gracious they’ve been to me,” he said. “Over and over, people stop me just to say, ‘welcome to Greenwood.’ There’s something authentic about it, and it’s one of the reasons why I’m here to stay.”
It’s a spirit so contagious that his new friends have given him a fresh title, trading “The Duke of Fremont Street” for “The Duke of the Delta.” And for this riverboat gambler, adventurer and historian, it’s a title he intends to carry for the rest of his life.