Roger Dean Walters

Roger was born November 30, 1934 in Harold Kentucky to the Rev. Luther and Beatrice (Layne) Walters. In July 1954, he entered the U.S. Navy serving aboard the USS Fort Snelling LSD 30 in Virginia, making three cruises to the Mediterranean Sea. He was honorably discharged in 1958.

In 1956, while in the Navy, he met Karen Sleeth whom he married in February of 1957. She preceded him in death in 2013.

Roger worked most of his life in the grocery business, last working for Ben Schwartz IGA. He retired November 1, 1997.

He was of the Baptist faith and attended classes at Kansas City Bible College and Moody Bible Institute. He also attended the Youth for Christ Directors School. He loved music, especially southern gospel, and enjoyed being a song leader at various churches. During his life he also served as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher and was once a delegate at a Billy Graham crusade.

Roger was a humble person who always had a kind word for everyone, no matter his circumstances in life. He loved his family and his daughters knew that if Daddy was singing, all was good in the world. He truly tried to live his life to glorify God and was an example for us all.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, a sister and brother-in-law, Vivian and Bill Blayton and a brother (Luther) Eugene Walters.

He is survived by his three daughters and their husbands: Robin and Mark Lucas of Morton, Kim and Lou Graham of Washington and Renee and Steve Watkins of Peoria, six grandchildren: Ashley (Donald) Smith, Matt (Kati) Lucas, Branden (Laura) Policky, Jillian (Brandon) Darling, Ashley (Cody) Cooper and Zachary Watkins. Further, he is survived by nine great grandchildren: Jarett, Kylie, Mya, Karli, BJ, Gannon, Addison, Olivia and London, one great great granddaughter, Isla and a sister-in-law Diane Walters.

The family would like to extend their thanks to the wonderful staff at Pekin Manor, whom Roger considered part of his family.

Services will be held at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria on Friday, January 24, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. with visitation one hour prior. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery in Peoria.

Memorials may be made to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago or Pathway Ministries.