Ezekiel Walters

He was the second born twin, his twin brother died shortly after birth. Zeke grew up on the Island in the Parish of St. Ann and received a strict Catholic education there, which was instrumental in making the honest, loving, caring and decent person he grew up to be. His mother who was French instilled in him a love of family. His father died when he was still a toddler. A child of the Depression, he went to work at an early age. At age 19 he was drafted into the United States Army and served during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Zeke loved Army life. He traveled extensively during his service and became fluent in several languages, including Spanish, German, Vietnamese and a little French which his mother taught him, and his native English. His education during his Army life was likewise extensive and constructive, obtaining the status of a Non-Commission Officer, SFC-E and a college level GED. He attended numerous training classes and obtained Certification in numerous fields in which he served, including Certification in Demolition, mines and body traps, Certification is Claims and Adjustment investigations, Certification in Accident investigation. He was an Instructor in Heavy Truck Driving and conducted drivers' training, MACV advisor to Officers of the 5th Transportation Truck Group, Advisor on Convoy Operations and Driver Training. He was a Motor Pool Advisor in White Sands, New Mexico. He attended U.S. Army Engineering-Ordinance School in Germany. He his the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal and Certificate and the First Oak Leaf Clover (actually a second bronze star but the military uses second oak leaf instead) for Meritorious Achievement in Ground Operations Against Hostile Forces. He served two tours in Vietnam. He has numerous other citations for his "excellence in performance" too numerous to list. Significantly as Sergeant First Class, he also served on the Burial Detail, which he says was always the hardest of all assignments, He retired in 1971 after 20+ years and just before his third tour to Vietnam (his second sense told him he would not survive a 3rd tour). Prior to separation from the Army, he also underwent special training courses conducted by the Ford Motor Company as part of the U.S. Dept of Defense "transition program". A most industrious young man, hungry for knowledge - 1 often told him that he was born too soon. Too young to really be retired he filed applications with the New York Police Department and the United States Postal Service and decided he would accept which ever one calls him first. The USPS called him first and that is where he went to work. Two weeks later the NYPD called him (smile). He kept his word and remained with the USPS and retired after another 20 years of service.

Zeke and his wife relocated to Palm Coast in July 1998, from Westbury, New York. He enjoyed playing golf and was a member of the Eagles Golf Club. He also loved gardening and fishing. But, above all he loved and cherished his wife, Norma, who he always said came first - he was never bashful about that.

Zeke was a member of the DAV, NAUSA, American Legion, Association of the United States Army; Founding Member of the National Museum of the U.S. Army in Arlington, Virginia. He also had membership in AACS, AARP and NAACP. A loyal registered democrat he was a member of the Democratic National Committee; the National Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee; the National Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Flagler Democratic Club and Florida Democratic Party. He was a generous contributor to the DAV, the Army Emergency Relief, the USO and Red Cross and many other Charities. He was a member of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.

Zeke leaves to mourn him, his wife, Norma Orynthia, of 45 years; Four children, Gladys Patricia, Twins Gerald Anthony and Geralda Eugenia (Teddy) and Alicia Enriqueta (Ishmel), Step Daughter Stephanie Ingrid; 11 Grand Children: Trent, Tasha-Rene, Tamala, Tameika, Jamal, Gemma, Khalid, Kai, Josephina (Anthony), Jamal and Jermaine. 16 Great Grand children to include Marquise whom he holds close to his heart as his second son, and twin boys, Ty and Tori, and 3 great great grandchildren. He also leaves many many other relatives, family and friends, too numerous to list who have been significant in his life. He loved them all. Significant among them are Linda, Karen, Jesse and Yanick Gourdet, our extended family and Kevin Chavis (Uncle Zeke) who was always there at his beck and call to fulfill his every wish/need. A special thanks to our wonderful neighbors especially Anselmo and Maria Candido and Leon Dash.