Walter S. Hammert Jr.

Walter Scott Hammert, Jr., 85, of Oklahoma City, OK, passed away suddenly September 30, 2015. He was born November 17, 1929, in Eudora, Kansas, to Walter, Sr. and Elizabeth (Schlegel) Hammert and grew up in Anadarko, OK where his family owned the Hammert IGA grocery store. In 1951, Walter graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a BS in Accounting and passed the CPA exam. He then served as a pilot in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1955, and always reveled in recounting his Korean War experiences.

Following his military service, Walter began working in Houston for Arthur Andersen & Co. but returned to Oklahoma after his father passed away to help take care of his mother and brothers. He quickly rose to the Senior Tax Partner level, and in 1977, formed his own accounting firm, now known as Hammert, Mikysa, & Dennis, where he worked with major corporations predominantly in the oil and gas industry and dealt with accounting and tax fraud issues. His secret to success was his dedication and commitment to others. He also was rarely seen without a few rubber bands around his hand just in case he or anyone else needed them to put around a file folder.

Walter received the “Silver Award” from the University of Oklahoma, wrote articles for monthly publications, and was inducted into the Heritage Registry of Who’s Who. He was a member of the Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club, the Masonic Lodge, and several professional organizations and served on the Board of charitable entities like the Oklahoma Science Museum and Veterans’ Families United. Walter’s interpretation of the tax laws often differed from that of the IRS and other taxing authorities, and he was almost always successful in being able to get them to see it his way.

He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Annie Heinze, in 1992, and his brother, Fred Hammert, in 2008. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Dorothy (Savage); his children, Warren Hammert & wife Debi, June Hammert, Diane Welker & husband Johnny, and Cindy Heinze & husband Jeff, brother Carl Hammert & wife Lynn, sister-in-law Marian Hammert; grandchildren Justin & Blake Hammert, Tyler Cherpak & wife Lauren, Kelsey Cherpak, Trey Welker & wife Anna, Kimberly Fox & husband Aaron, Christy Heinze & fiancé Alex Rice; five great-grandchildren, Olivia, Sophia, & Malia Welker, and Brooklyn & Ford Fox; nieces Lisa & Amy Hammert; and nephew, Randy Savage and wife Lynette.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be sent to All Souls Episcopal Church or to your favorite charity. Visitation will be Sun., Oct. 4, from 4-6pm at Hahn-Cook Funeral Home, 6600 Broadway Ext., OKC. Services will be Mon., Oct. 5, at 11am at All Souls Episcopal Church, 6400 N. Penn., OKC, with a reception following in the Parish Hall and internment at Rose Hill Mausoleum, OKC.