William M. Walter

Rev. Dr. William M. Walter, 97 of Olathe, Kansas, formerly of Princeton, IN, passed away Tuesday, September 6, 2022 at the Aberdeen Village Healthcare Center in Olathe. He was born February 1, 1925 in LaJunta, Colorado to Reuben James and Pearl (Clinger) Walter.

Bill and his wife, Anna Belle had lived at the Aberdeen Village Retirement Community since 2001 moving there from Princeton making the move to be closer to family in southeast Colorado.

Bill grew up in southeast Colorado, one of ten children. He graduated early from Crowley County High School, so he could join the U.S. Navy, during W.W. II. Upon his return from the Navy, he proceeded to marry his high school sweetheart, Anna Belle Gray, on September 1, 1946.

After marriage Bill's dream was to become a Civil Engineer. He attended Colorado State University received his degree, then moved to the Ephrata, Washington. After about five years of working as a Civil Engineer, he felt a calling to the ministry. He then attended San Francisco Theological Seminary, graduating in 1958. He was ordained at the age of 33 and started his pastoral career with Presbyterian Church U.S.A. He pastored three different churches in Missouri, one of which was a three-church parish. Then in 1963, Bill and his family moved to Princeton, IN, where he pastored the First Presbyterian Church for 13 years, his longest church pastoral service. He then moved to Plainfield, IN and pastored there for five years.

He enjoyed gardening, working in the yard and raising flowers. Through the years he and Anna Belle developed a love of antiques, so after retirement they opened an antique and collectable business in Plainfield which they ran for about 10 years. They moved back to Princeton in 1991, before moving to Olathe. After moving to Olathe, they became very active in the life at Aberdeen. Bill started a Sunday evening Vesper Service for the residents there, and also started a bible study. When a leader was needed for the water aerobics, Bill undertook that responsibility as well. He was influential in the setting up a resident council, an employee education fund and an employee Christmas fund there. He also developed a talent for painting and drawing. He painted and drew many pictures that he displayed and shared with others. He developed an art gallery there and he would have area artists to bring in paintings and other art work to display in the hallway of the facility. Bill, as well as other residents, would display artwork there as well.

Bill is survived by three sons, Jerry Walter (Karen) of Overland Park, KS, Patrick Walter (Annette) of Friendswood, TX, and Mark Walter (Diane) of Princeton, IN; grandchildren, Bobby, Chris, Edward, David and Christopher Walter and Christi Franklin;16 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 62 years, Anna Belle Walter, on July 14, 2009; infant son, Phillip Gray Walter; 5 brothers and 4 sisters; and a great granddaughter, Kendyl Walter.

There will be a memorial service, a celebration of life, 11am. Saturday, October 1, 2022, at Heritage Presbyterian Church, 15550 S. Lackman Rd., Olathe, KS, with Ronda Welander officiating. Visitation will be from 10am until the service time. Following the service your invited for a light lunch to be served at the church.

There will be graveside service, 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 4, 2022, followed by burial, held at the Columbia White Church Cemetery in Princeton, IN.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Fund of Aberdeen Village, 17500 119th St., Olathe Kansas 66061. Envelopes will be available at the church.

To leave a message of condolence for Bill's family, or to share a special memory of Bill, visit the guestbook below.