Posted by Kelly J. Walters on May 29, 2004:

William H. Walters, Sr. Our PoP 6 July 1921 - 12 May 2004 William Henry Walters, Sr., age 82, of Fort Walton Beach, died peacefully on Wednesday, May 12, surrounded by his family. Colonel Walters was born and reared in Bluefield, West Virginia, and attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. While a cadet, he served as second-in-command of his Cadet Company, captain of the pistol team, and member of the tennis team. He graduated as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Corps of the U.S. Army in 1944. He served on active duty for 26 years and lived in this area since 1968. He dearly loved his country and the U.S. Air Force. While on active duty he was a Command Pilot who flew the B-29, B-24, B-25, C-47, C-46, C-45, P-51, T-6, and T-33 aircraft. He served in Air Force Research and Development for 18 years, and the Defense Communications Agency where he directed the AUTOVON project, which is the Armed Services? worldwide telephone service. Following retirement from the Air Force in 1970, he taught mathematics in the local public schools for 14 years. It was widely known that he loved *his children* as well as math. When one of his students broke her leg, he went to her home every Saturday for 7 weeks to help her keep up with her work. Many who were not his students became his friends through his caring and loving attitude. He was chosen as an outstanding teacher at Niceville High School. He believed it was his duty to serve his community, and he did so well and faithfully on the Fort Walton Beach Board of Adjustment, as well as a volunteer student mentor and classroom volunteer in the public schools. At the Senior Center for Lifelong Learning in Fort Walton Beach he served as a computer instructor. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers J.C., Frank, and Doug, and his West Point classmates Bob Armstrong, Moon Mullin, John Calhoun, and Lester Salzer. This wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle loved his family very much. Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of 54 years, Carolyn Jackson Walters of Fort Walton Beach; sisters-in-law Jane J. Moore of Severna Park, MD; Catherine A. Walters of Bluefield, WV; Marjorie P. Walters of Tulsa, OK; daughters Dr. Carolyn W. Webster (Robert) and Elizabeth W. Delaune (Daniel), both of Fort Walton Beach; sons William H. Walters, Jr. (Pamela) of Niceville, and Kelly J. Walters (Rowland Folensbee) of Navarre; and six grandchildren: Thomas L. Tiedeman, Jr. (Gena) of Melbourne; Robert C. Tiedeman (Deanna) of Crestview; Cherie E. Delaune (Mozambique, Africa); Peter W. Delaune (Atlanta); Destiny Bradley (Ryan) of Fort Walton Beach; and Laura K. Walters of Niceville; and many nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss him dearly. A memorial service was conducted on May 15th with full military honors at Beal Memorial Cemetery in Fort Walton Beach, FL. High Flight Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long delirious, burning blue, I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or even eagle flew - And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod The high unsurpassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand and touched the face of God. Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee No 412 squadron, RCAF Killed 11 December 1941 Earth had this angel for 82 years, but now heaven is blessed by his presence. You will be missed, PoP, but you will NEVER be forgotten. With love from your family.

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