Ronald "Ronnie" D. Walters

Ronald “Ronnie” Dean Walters, son of the late Joseph H. and Georgia Grace (Fancher) Walters, was born August 22, 1938 in Waynesville, Missouri. He grew up mostly in the Crocker, Missouri area and attended school. On July 13, 1961, Ronnie was united in marriage to the girl of his dreams, Peggy DeWitt. They were married in Miami, Oklahoma and they shared many wonderful memories together. They just recently celebrated 50 years of marriage together. Ronnie and Peggy were blessed with two children, Richard and Sandra. Ronnie was a jack of all trades. He was a hardworking man and was privileged to own and operate several businesses. He owned and operated AAA Trans and two different Union 76 gas stations in Florida. He worked for a time as a diesel mechanic on Fort Leonard Wood and drove a ready mix truck. The one position that he was most proud of was working for the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department for 20 years. He became a deputy and at the time of his retirement in 2001, he was Chief Deputy under J.T. Roberts. In his spare time, Ronnie was a member of the Cave State Cruisers Car Club for 20 years. He loved traveling in his fifth wheel camper and spending the winters in South Texas with Peggy. He was a member of the Waynesville Masonic Lodge #375 AF & AM for 42 years, Scottish Rite of Joplin for 40 years and Abou Ben Ahem Shrine Temple for 40 years. In 2011, Ronnie made a very important decision in his life. He accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior and was baptized. This decision made a big impact on his life and up until the day before he passed away, he was witnessing and telling his testimony. He was a member of Westside Baptist Church and loved his church family. Ronnie went home to be his Lord at 4:55 p.m. Tuesday, January 3, 2012 in his home after a courageous battle with cancer, having attained the age of 73 years, 4 months and 12 days. Ronnie will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by his wife Peggy of the home; two children: Richard Walters (Karen) of Dallas, TX and Sandra Taylor (Jim) of Colorado Springs, CO; one sister: Shirley Erxleben (Sonny) of Sunrise Beach, MO; one brother: Terry Walters (Shirley) of Rocky Mount, MO; five grandchildren: Amanda Forbes, Pamela Taylor (Corey), Patricia Martz, Justin Walters and Zack Walters; four great grandchildren: Gabe, Lily, Kyle and Dezi; other relatives and a host of friends. In addition to his parents, Ronnie was preceded in death by one brother, Joseph H. Walters, Jr. and two nephews, Larry Walters and Joseph Walters III. Services were held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 7, 2011 in the Westside Baptist Church of Waynesville with Rev. Lindell Shelden and Rev. John Shaw officiating. Soloist Becky Lercher sang “Far Side Bank of Jordan” and “Amazing Grace”. The song “Twelfth of Never” was played. Serving as escorts were J.T. Robert, Jim Sheffield, Johnny Taylor, Bill DeWitt, Kenny Foster and Phil Robinson. Serving as honorary escorts were Terry Walters, Mike Walters, Dave DeWitt, Tracy Storie and Bob Fisher. Burial followed in the Crocker Memorial Park Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert.

Ronald "Ronnie" D. Walters

August 22, 1938 - January 3, 2012