Richard Lewis Walters, Sr.

Another WW II veteran has been called home.  Richard Lewis Walters, Sr.  passed to his eternal home January 2, 2017 at the home of his caregiver in Whipple at the age of 95.

 

He was born November 2, 1921 in Dalzell to Elmer and Freda (Clasey) Walters.  He grew up in Washington County Children’s Home until he left to join the Peace Corps in Idaho.  In 1943 he joined the US Army where served in Italy, France and Germany until 1945 when he was injured in combat and received the Purple Heart Medal.  After returning to the states he trained as a mechanic and worked for 44 years for the state highway dept. until his retirement in 1988.  While working there he met and married his sweetheart  Marianna Baker who was a secretary at the highway garage.  They were married March 18, 1951 and were together for 54 years until her death in 2009.  They had 2 children Richard Walters Jr. and Linda Ann Walters both of Marietta.  One of the great sadnesses of his life was when he had to place his son, who at the age of 16 had suffered severe brain trauma in an accident, in a group home after caring for him for many years in the family home.   Richard was an amazing person, a good mechanic and could fix about anything.  After his retirement he became an avid reader and collected many books.  People would always bring him bikes and lawnmowers to repair.  He was a member of the Amercian Legion Post 64 and was quite a interesting conversationalist who told many war stories.  He loved to dumpster dive and his junk; he always had anything you needed.  He rode his bicycle until the age of 88 and loved spending time with his granddaughters.   Richard was baptized as a young man but later in life he excepted Christ as his Savior and has been reunited with his beloved wife. He will be greatly missed.

 

In addition to his children, Richard is survived by granddaughters Jolene Sexton Allen (Jason) of Whipple and Aleaha Sexton-Welch (Jacob) of Waterford, great grandsons Colt Welch and Jack Allen, siblings Geraldine Vaughn of Michigan, Mary Brooks and Edsel Walters both of Marietta, a brother-in-law Emerson Baker (Phyllis) and several nieces and nephews.  Also surviving is his former son-in-law Mark Sexton and special friends Tim Mugrage, who loved to work on bikes and lawnmowers with him, Ronald Welch who would become exceptionally good at pushing Richard around in his wheelchair when his health failed, Charlena, Earl, Bev and many others.  His very special caregivers Joy and Roger Hardie and Ruth Francis, who became like family also survive him.

 

Richard’s family would like to thank Pastor Ron, for visiting and singing with Richard, the ladies at Heartland for their care the few times Richard stayed with them, Dr. Giro and the Hospice team for the special care they gave throughout his final days..

 

 Funeral services will be held 1 pm Saturday, January 7th at McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home with Chaplin Ronald Calvert officiating.  Burial will follow in East Lawn Memorial Park with full military rites.  Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 10 am until the time of the service.  Messages of sympathy may be sent at www.Lankfordfh.com.