Lanny Wayne Walters

Following 53 years of life full of curiosity, authenticity, love, and a courageous battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Lanny Walters passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones around midnight on October 23rd, 2026.

Though his time with us was far too short, the life he lived, the love he gave, and the memories he left behind will continue to live in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Lanny was a man who valued honesty, kindness, and truth. He possessed a keen intelligence, a unique perspective on the world, and a surprising wit that could bring a smile to the face of those fortunate enough to experience it. He was a hard worker, incredibly generous, and a patriot of this great nation! His hobbies included video gaming, comic books (especially The Incredible Hulk,) Virginia Tech Hokies and Alabama Crimson Tide football, and a wide range of tastes in movies, which he loved to share with his family.

He was never someone who needed to be the loudest person in the room to have something meaningful to offer. Those who truly knew him understood that there was depth beneath his quiet moments, a thoughtful mind behind his words, and a genuine heart beneath it all.

Above everything else, Lanny was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. His faith was an important part of who he was, and it offers comfort to those who mourn him today. Though his earthly journey has ended, the hope he placed in Christ remains a source of peace for those he leaves behind.

Lanny shared a special bond with his family, particularly his mother, Sherry, his siblings, and his nieces and nephews. Their relationship was built through a lifetime of shared memories, laughter, challenges, and a connection that cannot be measured by words alone.

Lanny also carried the profound grief of losing his beloved nephew, Alex, whose life was tragically cut short at just 18 years old. His own passing is another heartbreaking loss for a family that has already endured more sorrow than any family should have to bear.

He is preceded in death by his father, Cline H. Walters; grandmother, Jo Anne Smith; uncle, Clyde Walters; step father, Donald F. Sanders; step sister, Deanna Sanders Newsome; nephews, Alexander Tombrello, Gabriel & Jonah Tombrello, and niece, Isabella Tombrello.

He is succeeded by his mother, Sherry Sanders; sisters, Janice Walters Carroll (Jesse), Lisa Lovern Tolbert (Tee), and

Leigh Walters; step mother, Judy Walters; aunt, Audrey Walters; as well as numerous beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

ALS relentlessly challenged Lanny's body, taking from him abilities that so many of us take for granted. Yet he remained a person whose worth could never be defined by what the disease took away. His life reminds us that a human being is so much more than his physical abilities, his circumstances, or the final chapter of his story.

His passing leaves an immeasurable emptiness in the lives of those who love him. But grief is the price we pay for having someone who matters so deeply, and the depth of this loss reflects the significance of the life we were blessed to share with him.

Perhaps Lanny's greatest reminder to those he leaves behind is this: life is fragile, time is not promised, and the ordinary moments we often overlook are the very things we will one day wish we could experience again. The laughter in an old photograph. The sound of a familiar voice. Sitting beside someone without needing to say a word. The simple privilege of having one more day together. May we learn to cherish one another while we still can. May we offer grace where we have held judgment, extend love where we have allowed distance, and never postpone telling someone what they mean to us.

Lanny was loved. He will be missed beyond measure. And he will never be forgotten.

Though we grieve the loss of his presence here on earth, we take comfort in the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ and that this separation is not forever.

Rest in the arms of Jesus, Lanny. Your suffering is over, your death has ended and your life has begun! You are loved beyond words, missed beyond measure, and forever a part of us.

Until we meet again. 💪💚