Eugene Ronald Walter, Jr, 66, of Hackett, Arkansas passed away Friday, June 28, 2019 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was a sergeant in the US Army during the Vietnam War stationed at Schofield Barracks in Oahu Hawaii. He was Temporary duty at Hickam & Wheeler Air Force Base as loadmaster on the C131 and C5A Starlift.
At Ft. Benning, GA, he taught the Green Berets and the Rangers. He was an instructor for the National Safety Council, teaching their Defensive Driving courses during which time governor then, President Jimmy Carter would come and sit in on his classes.
Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 5 at Memorial Baptist in Hackett with interment at Mountain View Cemetery under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home in Greenwood, Arkansas. Viewing will be Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home, where the family will visit with friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Ron is survived by his wife, Patsy Ruth Walter; son, Eugene R. Walter, III and his wife, Rebecca of Greenwood; daughter, Sandra Harlen and her husband Doug Harlen, III of Hackett; sister, Eva Ristich of Flint Michigan; 13 grandchildren, Stephen Dunn, II and fiancé, Desi, Christopher Dunn and fiancé, Lexi, Alexis Harlen, Douglas Harlen, IV, Tasha Walter and fiancé, Earnie, Ashley Walter and fiancé, Brandon, Eugene R. Walter, IV and fiancé, Danielle and Seth Walter and 11 great-grandchildren, Emilee, Braxton, Brantley, Jordan, Riley, Jazmyn, Colton, Trinity, Braileigh, Remy and Eugene, V (R.J.). Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene Walter, Sr. and Pearl Ristich; two brothers, Terry and Kelly Walter and sister, Mary Gene Walter.
Pallbearers will be Eugene R. Walter, III, Eugene R. Walter, IV, Seth Walter, Douglas Harlen, III, Stephen Dunn, II and Earnie Kioski. Honorary pallbearers will be Douglas Harlen, IV, Christopher Dunn, Eugene R. Walter, V (R.J.), Jordan Kioski, Riley Kioski, Colton Kioski, Remy Williams, Braxton Battiest and Brantley Dunn.