Colonel (Ret.) Thomas Eugene Walters

Col. Walters was an El Paso resident for over 30 years. He served his country as a professional Army Officer for over 29 years. He served his Catholic Church as an active member of St. Matthew’s Parish, Saint Vincent de Paul Society, Sierra Club of El Paso, and as Director of Development for the Diocese of El Paso.

He is preceded in death by his parents Eugene and Macy (Whigham) Walters, both formerly of Hattiesburg, MS and by his brother Charles H. (Charlie) Walters of El Paso.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Lillian L. Donohue Walters and their four children: Pamela L. Walters-Irwin of San Antonio, Thomas E. Walters Jr. of Monroe, N.C., Amy C. Reynolds of San Antonio and Catherine E. Salazar of Harker Heights, TX; sister: Irma Carolyn Miller of El Paso; 10 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

Col. Walters began his military career during World War II as an Automatic Rifleman with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, the 6th Marine Division. With this unit he participated in the battle of Okinawa and was among the first American troops to set foot on the soil of imperial Japan as World War II in the Pacific Theater came to a close.

He returned from World War II and in August 1948, married Lillian Lorraine Donohue in Laurel, MS. He has been blessed with her love and companionship for many wonderful years.

In 1952, Col. Walters graduated from Mississippi Southern College as a Distinguished Military Graduate and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the field artillery. He served in Korea during the war as a Forward Observer and Battery Commander in the 171st Field Artillery Battalion, 45th Infantry Division. Early in his career, he completed a 4 year tour in Europe with the 538th Field Artillery, worked with Combat Development Command for the US Army Air Defense Systems and Patriot Missile Systems.

During the Vietnam Era, Col. Walters conducted Air Defense Combat Readiness Evaluations for the Western Pacific in the US Army Pacific Command’s G-3 section. He was Commander to the 2nd Battalion, 21st Field Artillery in Hawaii and for the 1st Battalion, 12th Field Artillery, 2nd Infantry Division during a 13 month tour in Korea.

Col. Walters completed his military service as Chief of the US Army Readiness Group in Indiantown Gap, PA where he assisted in improving the operating readiness of over 200 Army National Guards and US Army Reserve units that consisted over 20,000 troops in Eastern Pennsylvania. He retired from his military service on 31 July 1977.

Col. Walters is a graduate of the Field Artillery Officers Advanced Course, The Guided Missile Systems Officer Course, and the US Army command and General Staff College. His decorations include the Legion of Merit with one Oak Leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and Army Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters.

In his retirement, Col. Walters served with the Catholic Church in expanding and improving the annual progress appeal to increase operating income for Diocesan Ministries for El Paso and West Texas. He was also involved with the Stewardship Way of Life program, the Planned Giving Development Program, and the Historic Missions Restoration Program. He was Eucharist Minister for St. Matthew Parish for 30 years and served as president for El Paso St. Vincent de Paul Society Council and El Paso Serra Club.

A visitation is set for Monday, April 4, 2016 from 5:00pm – 8:00pm with a Rosary at 7:00pm at Sunset North Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, at Sunset North Funeral Chapel at 10 a.m., interment to follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery at 11:15am.

Memorials may be made to the St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, P.O. Box 17548, El Paso, TX 79917. The El Paso St. Vincent de Paul Society, 2104 N. Piedras, El Paso, TX 79930. The Serra Club of El Paso, P.O. Box 1042, El Paso, TX 79946.

Arrangements under the direction of Sunset North Funeral Home, San Antonio, TX.