Born in Toledo, Ohio, Walinski was a United States Navy lieutenant during World War II and its aftermath, from 1942 to 1948.

He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toledo in 1949 and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Toledo College of Law in 1951.

He was a United States Naval Reserve Captain from 1948 to 1971.

He was a judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Lucas County, Ohio, from 1964 to 1970.

[1] Walinski was nominated by President Richard Nixon on October 7, 1970, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio vacated by Judge Girard Edward Kalbfleisch.