Charles’ Obituary Ret. Lt. Col. Charles Rayford Walters Charles (Charlie) Walters, age 87, of Canton, MO passed away peacefully on Friday, February 8, 2019 at his home. He was born on January 27, 1932, in Daingerfield, Texas, the son of Virgil Eddie and Buna Evelyn Walters. He was united in marriage to Katherine Eloise Trimble on December 22, 1951, in Talco, TX. They were married for 65 years before she proceeded him in death on March 2, 2017. Charlie had a magnificent life. He began life in East Texas, and as a young man was employed by Lone Star Steel as a foreman, but he had a desire to do more. He joined the ROTC at Texas A & M University in College Station, TX, earning a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology. After graduation he served in the United States Air Force as an Electronics Officer and later as a Communications Staff Officer, serving overseas in Germany, France, Belgium and Morocco. After four years of active military service, he began a career with Philco-Ford Corporation, managing the engineering and technical support programs for the U.S. Air Force worldwide. He traveled overseas extensively and moved many times across the country during his time at Philco-Ford. While in the Kansas City area, he pursued classes at UMKC as continuing education in his field. In 1976 he received an opportunity to work for NASA in Houston, Texas, but after moving so many times, he made the decision to let his daughter complete high school in Belton, Missouri and found other employment. With an interest in cars, he took a job as General Manager of the Plank Ford dealership in Belton, MO, until he purchased Monroe City Ford in 1978. In 1981 he decided to return to his previous field and worked as Program Manager for Computer Sciences Corporation in Fairview Heights, IL, while successfully closing the Ford dealership in Monroe City. Over the next 20 years, he worked for similar companies, always as Director, Manager or Vice President of Program Development. Upon retirement in 1998, he and Katie moved to Canton, MO, to be closer to their daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. In retirement, he stayed busier than ever. He did consulting work for Harris Broadcasting in Quincy, IL, served as a member of the Canton Chamber of Commerce, the Canton Community Betterment Group, Canton Tourism Committee, Kiwanis, and served on many committees at the Immanuel United Methodist Church. He enjoyed sharing his time and experience at election polls and political committees, and many other events and activities too numerous to mention. Until his diagnosis of Leukemia in October of 2018, he remained independent in his own home. Life changed dramatically for him at that point, but he remained determined to give life everything he had to give. He was still worrying about and caring for his family until the last few days of his life. He truly loved his daughter, son-in-law and each and every one of his grandchildren, with all their individual differences and stages in life. He supported them in their activities, was a teacher of wisdom, and an true example of humility and selflessness, sharing the very best of himself. He will be missed by many. Survivors include his daughter, Karla, and son-in-law, Jeff McReynolds, who he treated and loved as a son of Canton, MO; granddaughter Jennifer (Jason) Berhorst of Leawood, KS; grandson Jonathan (Kristen) McReynolds of Canton, MO; grandson David McReynolds (Sarah Richardson) of Canton, MO; granddaughter, MaryKate McReynolds, of Canton, MO; two great-granddaughters Olivia Grace and Gabriella Recce Berhorst, of Leawood, KS; sister and brother-in-law, Shirley (Max) Nygaard of Corsicana, TX and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Katie. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, February 8, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. at Immanuel United Methodist Church in Canton with Pastor Harry Cooper officiating. Burial will be in Forest Grove Cemetery in Canton. Visitation will be held Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until time of services in the Church. Memorials may be made to Immanuel United Methodist Church, Canton, MO. Pallbearers will be: Jeff McReynolds, Jonathan McReynolds, David McReynolds, Jason Berhorst, Larry Cole and Lee Hammer Read More
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Charles R Walters January 27 1932 February 8 2019.
Source: Davis Funeral Home – Canton
Death notice for the town of: Canton, state: Missouri