Walter C. Blain

Walt, as he was known to family and friends, was born June 12, 1949, at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington D.C. to Harry Taylor and Lena Jo Blain. He made his public profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ through baptism on January 31, 1960, at Fairborn Baptist Church in Fairborn, Ohio.

At Fairborn High School, Walt met the love of his life, Ada Marie Blain. After graduating in 1968, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War. Upon his return to the States, he and Ada were married on May 23, 1970. They welcomed a son, Bryan, and daughter Shilo within the next 10 years.

As is typical for a military family, they moved often and made friends all over the world. Stations included Lackland AFB in Wichita Falls, TX; Mountain Home AFB in Idaho and Ramstein AFB in Germany. Walt served honorably as a Site Development Technician and then as a Logistics Plans Officer until his retirement as Captain in September 1989.

Walt enjoyed outdoor activities in his younger years including road biking and archery. However, a traumatic biking accident was the catalyst for a new chapter in his life. He used to say he went from “planning wars to saving souls.” Sensing God’s call to enter full-time ministry, he moved the family to Crowley, TX and enrolled at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he received a Master of Arts in Religious Education in 1991 and a Master of Divinity in 1993. During his seminary years, he also served as a Pastoral Apprentice and Minister of Education at First Baptist Church Crowley. In 1995, he accepted a position as Minister of Growth and Education at Shreve City Baptist Church in Shreveport, LA, and in 2000, was called as Pastor to Northside Baptist Church in Denham Springs, LA. Following his retirement from full-time ministry, the family moved back to Bossier City, LA, where Walt enjoyed working at Bass Pro Shop, known for his love of joking around and having great conversations with customers. He and Ada served and worshipped at Bellaire Baptist Church in Bossier City for many years where they developed many treasured friendships.

After Ada passed into eternity in 2019, Walt moved into the Louisiana Veterans Home in Jackson, LA. Now, he is worshipping our Lord face-to-face alongside his beloved Ada, his younger brother Clint, and his mom and dad. He is survived by his son, Bryan and wife Whitney of Bedford, TX; his daughter Shilo McLaughlin and husband Joshua of Livingston, LA; his brother Shaun and wife Parian of Terrell, TX; sister-in-law Maralee Blain of San Diego, CA; grandsons Benjamin, Caden and James; granddaughter Zoe; nephew Eli and his wife Hannah of Irving, TX; aunt Rose Gabardi of Spring Hill, TN; and many wonderful cousins.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Louisiana Veterans Home in Jackson, LA for their capable care and the Bellaire Baptist Church family for their love and support.

A visitation for Walt will be held Friday, September 8, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home, 601 Hwy 80, Haughton, LA, followed immediately by a celebration of life. A committal service will occur Friday, September 8, 2023, at 12:30 pm at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, 7970 Mike Clark Rd., Keithville, LA 71047.