My, oh my, what a man, what a life. Walter Patrick Mullins, age 99, went home to be with the lord on October 12, 2023. As he left this world, he was met with open arms by many loved ones gone before him. Born on September 29, 1924, in Little Rock, Arkansas, Walt was the son of Sidney and Margaret Mullins. Anyone who ever met Walt would agree, he was one of the hardest workers you would ever meet. An avid fisherman and hunter, he could talk a catfish onto his line and draw the squirrels right out of the tree. All of his fishing buddies were amazed how Walt could catch 80 fish to their 2! Walt was also a bowler who carried a 170 average at the age of 90! Gomer, as family and friends called him, was also a master gardener, mushroomer, wood cutter, family card player, organizer of pickup basketball games in the front driveway, and a St. Louis Cardinals fan (until the family finally converted him into a Mariners fan) - he had a life well-lived.
Walt married the love of his life, Grace, in Blytheville, Arkansas on January 20, 1944, and had a loving union for 59 years. Walt had many skills throughout his life, starting out as a cotton farmer in Wardell, Missouri until he permanently moved the family to Washington in 1956. Once in Washington, he worked in the fruit and logging industry before achieving his dream of owning his own orchard in Naches, Washington. He continued this work until retiring in the mid 90’s. Walt’s heart never left Missouri, as he and Grace would look forward to making yearly trips ‘back east’ to visit family and do some much-loved squirrel hunting.
Walt and Grace were blessed with five children that he set a lasting example for - Bubba Rich, Carol, Patsy, and surprise twin boys, Jerry and Terry.
The patriarch of five generations of family, Walt is survived by his loving children, Patsy (Ron) Yates, Jerry (Robin) Mullins, and Terry (Lori) Mullins; one son-in-law, Ron Deaton; one sister of West Plains, Missouri, Trease Ellison; current spouse of 20 years, Maryann Mullins; grandchildren Angie, Ron (Christy), Tricia (Johnny), Michelle, Krystal, Scott (Katie), Danielle (Chris), Cody, Jeremy, Ken, Jeff (Gina), Patrick, and JJ; five ‘bonus’ grandchildren, Little Man, Chris, Chryistal, Travis, and Kelsey; great grandchildren, Sami, Katie (Ben), Brittney, Ryan, Caleb, Kim (Jesus), Kayla, Zach, Sydney, Brandon (Citlali), Jashaun, Jabari, Kassidy, Peyton, Keegan, Javen, Landen, Gavin, Piper, Hadley, Kate, Colton, Emmile, Rowdy, Lindsey, Hailey, Dayton, Noah; and great-great grandchildren, Liam, Raygehn, Harper, Nova, Rilee, Kenzie, Kennedy, Kyran, and Okhai. Walt is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Walt was preceded in death by his loving wife of 59 years, Grace; his son, Richard; daughter, Carol; grandson, Jason; and great-great granddaughter, Jade. Walt was also preceded in death by several brothers and sisters (Willis Mullins, Mary Kate Graham, Margee Bess Henderson, Rowena Helen Rosenburg, Leo Mullins, Ruth Harris, and Jeanette Lambert).
The family would like to give a special ‘thank you’ to the caring doctors and nurses at Memorial Hospital, and to nephew, Stephen Harris, who will officiate the services.
