Roy Nathan Walters, Jr.

Roy Nathan Walters, Jr., 88, of Independence Trail, Morganton, passed peacefully from here to Glory on Tuesday, February 18, at Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem, NC. Born on July 9, 1931 in Berea, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Roy N. Walters, Sr. and Lillie Mae Crouch Walters. He was a member of Burkemont Baptist Church where he was very involved, serving as a deacon, choir member, and with multiple committees over the years. If there was ever a need at the church, he always volunteered without question.

Roy was born and raised in Berea, Kentucky and was a 1958 graduate of Berea College where his parents had attended, and his father had been a faculty member and dean. It was at Berea College where he met his 'sweetie' of 68 years, Janath Casto Walters. Roy and Jan married in December of 1951. After college, they moved to San Antonio, TX where Roy served in the United States Air Force for 45 months during the Korean Conflict with 16 months in the Far East. Upon his return they relocated to Morganton, NC where he remained in service for 12 years in the U.S. Army Reserves and 6 years in the N.C. Civil Air Patrol.

In the 1960s, Roy was employed as Personnel Finance Director for the City of Morganton and was the first Business Manager for Western Piedmont Community College. He then became Purchasing Agent at Henredon Furniture where he remained until his retirement in 1993. After retiring he remained very active volunteering until joining the team at Morganton Ace Hardware where he worked until just a couple of weeks ago.

Roy was very civic-minded and enjoyed being involved in his community. He was a Past President and active member of the Morganton Optimist Club and had also previously served with the Morganton Recreation Little League, Morganton Kiwanis Club, Berea College Alumni Council, Burke Hospice, and Burke United Christian Ministries Soup Kitchen.

Roy was a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. His life's purpose was to help others in need and he never met a stranger. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Carol Ann Walters. Surviving are the love of his life, Jan Walters; children, Steve Walters (Nancy), Elaine Whicker (Warren), Scott Walters, and Connie Brockland (Rob); Sister, Bonnie Woodfin (James); grandchildren, Nathan Whicker (Elizabeth), Dalton Walters, Lindsi Stotts (Ryan), John Whicker, Christina Carpenter (Taylor), Rebecca Frost (Jordan), Andrew Walters, Katie Brockland and Ben Brockland; great grandchildren, Marley Johnson, Katherine Whicker, Hadley Whicker, Isabella Frost, Kinsley Frost, Taylor Stotts and Chloe Stotts; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A celebration of Roy's wonderful life, with Military Honors, will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 22nd, at Burkemont Baptist Church with the Rev. Drs. Eddy Bunton, Luke Lane, and David Mills officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 11:00 am at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke United Christian Ministries Soup Kitchen, 305B West Union St., Morganton, NC 28655, Berea College, CPO Box 2216, Berea, KY 40404, or to Mr. & Mrs. Roy Walters Endowed Scholarship c/o WPCC, 1001 Burkemont Ave., Morganton, NC 28655.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.