Walter Preston Batte

BOSSIER CITY, LA - Walter Preston Batte, 88, a resident of Bossier City, passed away Wednesday, January 20, 2016. A Celebration of Life will be held at Carriage Oaks Church of Christ with Kyle Batte officiating on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 2:00 P.M., burial will follow at Hill Crest Memorial Park. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 22, 2016 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home.

Walter was a member of the Carriage Oaks Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by his parents Arthur & Lena Batte, brothers Leon & Jimmy, and sisters Lerlene & Jeannie. He is survived by his loving spouse Bonnie Deen Batte and 4 children, daughter Deenae Brown and husband Bob of Shreveport, son Gregory Batte and wife Alice of Atlanta, GA, daughter Leah Moon of Tyler, TX, and son Brad Batte and wife Lucie of Dallas, TX; 9 grandchildren & 7 great grandchildren; 2 brothers Clifford & Cleve Batte, sister Diane Pilgreen, and dear family friend Buddy Daniels.

Serving as Pallbearers for Walter will be, grandson, Chris VanMeter; family friend, Ethen Cavanaugh; son-in-law, Bob Brown; son-in-law, Gene Moon; nephew, Wade Pilgreen; and nephew, Vince Pilgreen.

Walter was born in Smackover, Arkansas on September 15, 1927 to Arthur and Lena Batte and spent his childhood in Fouke, Arkansas with his parents and 7 siblings. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fishing and horseback riding. He was a sharpshooter and a skilled hunter.

Walter Preston married his help-meet Bonnie Deen on November 23, 1949 in Texarkana, Texas. He began his professional career with North American Tank Car Company, but was drafted soon afterwards for military service. He served his country proudly as a member of the Marine Corps stationed in Orange County, CA where he was supervisor of the paint shop responsible for stenciling B-52 bombers during the Korean War. He was employed by General Electric for 13 years where he coordinated all parts for the manufacturing line of the jet engine. He later spent 10+ years with Boeing as a B-52 modifications mechanic and ultimately went to work for the US Government, in Contract Management, at Barksdale Air Force Base where he worked until his 1998 retirement. Walter’s career included stints in Puerto Rico, Guam, and Hawaii. He was the recipient of numerous performance awards.

He was a diligent servant of God and served as a deacon within the Church of Christ for many of his latter years. He was solemn in his faith. He and Bonnie worked to advance the gospel by sponsoring the construction of a church in India.

Though Walter exuded tremendous work ethic, friendship and goodwill throughout his life his fulfillment was found in his faith and his family. His legacy is in the relationships he forged. He was a caring father, grandfather, and great grandfather who loved God and his family dearly.