Rayburn Walters

Ray was born on the December 1, 1935, in Laurel, Mississippi. He was the fifth of eight children born to Garnet “Donnie” and Orval Walters. Ray is preceded in death by his parents, three older brothers Houston, Louis and Olin, and his youngest sister, Sonja Smith.

Ray was an avid sportsman and in his youth played football, baseball and golf. This love of sport would carry into his later years and be passed on to his kids. He was a scratch golfer throughout his life and as a young boy would caddy every chance he got at his local golf course in Laurel.

At 14 years old, he met the love of his life, Ellen Grace Kitchens in Laurel, Mississippi, and married her in 1952. In 1953, they moved to Los Angeles, California, and a year later, they had their first child, Debra. In 1957, Ray and Ellen moved to Houston where their family continued to grow. In 1959, they had their first son, Steven, and two years later, the twins Michelle and Michael were born.

Ray was very dedicated to his family and worked hard to ensure they had everything they needed in life. He also made sure there were lots of fun activities for the kids. He loved being in the outdoors and would often take the family on camping trips. Many summer vacations were spent in tents at lakes and campgrounds around Texas, where the family enjoyed boating, fishing and riding motorcycles. He coached their little league baseball teams, took them fishing and hunting, visits to the beach, built them unique toys, taught them about sports, helped with scouts, and so much more.

Ray was a very imaginative and inventive person. With a mix of engineering precision and a unique approach, he often found clever solutions to perplexing challenges. As a foreman for a large metal fabrication corporation, Koenig Iron Works, he took on the challenge to increase revenue. As a result, he designed and built the Koenig Stor-Master, a first-of-its-kind toolbox that could be placed in the bed of a pickup truck. Seeing the sudden popularity of this item, many companies would later try to imitate his design and sell their own version. He also designed and fabricated many styles of utility truck bodies that are still popular today. After retiring from Koenig, he started working for the Harris County Flood Control District in 1981 as a Superintendent in the Infrastructure Maintenance division. While there, he developed and implemented many innovative solutions for major bayou and stream maintenance techniques that are still used today. After retiring in 1995, he was able to relax and do more of the things he liked around the house.

He found joy in creatively using his mind and hands – whether it was in woodworking, metalworking, electrical projects, ceramics or inventing various machines. He built many pieces of furniture for the house, go carts and mini-bikes for the kids, motorized lawn decorations and elaborate lighting for Christmas, as well as practical items like his famous automatic pea sheller and pneumatic pecan cracker.

In addition to his sporting and creative sides, Ray was a deeply caring and spiritual man. He believed that actions spoke louder than words. He honestly cared about others and would always be willing to lend a helping hand. To further this aspect of his life, he joined the fraternal order of Freemasons and became a 3rd Degree Master Mason. He became a 32nd Degree Mason in the Scottish Rite and ascended to the position of Worshipful Master of Cade-Rothwell Lodge #1151. He then joined the Billy W. Tinsley Daylight Lodge #1458 and was also a member of the Melrose Lodge #1294. He became a certified district instructor for District 30c. He has taught many men to become Master Masons, including his son Michael. For his dedicated service to Texas Freemasonry, Ray was presented with the Golden Trowel award authorized by the Grand Lodge of Texas in 2005.

Ray is survived by the following siblings: his older sister, Lenora DeFino, his younger brother, Jerry, his younger sister, Eileen Everett, his two brothers-in-law Paul Everett and Woodrow Smith; his wife Ellen; daughter Debra Heard and her husband Dan; son Steven Walters and his wife Pamela; daughter Michelle Bernal and her husband Ines; son Michael Walters and his wife Elizabeth; his granddaughters Jennifer Owens Sanford, Melissa Owens O’Sullivan and her husband Robert, Alicia Heard Hollon, Laura Heard, Ashley Walters Bond and her husband Patrick, and Samantha Doss Fitch, and his grandsons Larry Isbell and his wife Melissa, Steven Walters and his wife Holly, and Harrison Walters; 18 great grandchildren.

All those who knew Ray will remember his good natured spirit; his easy going personality; his toughness in adversity; his firm but fair manner and his distinctive, hearty laugh. You were always at ease with him and knew you were with a kind soul.

Family will receive friends at Brookside Funeral Home, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, Texas (281) 449-6511 on Thursday, October 2, 2014 from 5:00PM to 8:00PM. Burial services will be held at Brookside Cemetery on Friday, October 3, 2014 at 1:30PM.

Contributions can be made in Ray’s memory to the American Cancer Society, 6301 Richmond Ave. Houston, TX 77057.

The family would like to extend sincere thanks to those who gave their loving prayers and care to Ray in his final months to ensure he was most comfortable and allowed him a peaceful transition to his next destination.