William J. Walters

William J. Walters
March 12, 1944 – Jan 25, 2021

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Carolyn. He is survived by his children: Kristi (David) Wessling, Teresa (Andy) Ryba, Matthew (Paula) Walters, Justin (Jessica) Walters, Andrew (Danielle) Walters; 20 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; siblings: Don (Phyllis) Walters, Mary Ann (Dennis) Cahill, Veronica (Chuck) Miller, Tom (Geneice) Walters, Dorothy Kelley.

VIGIL: Sunday, January 31, 2021, 5:00PM, West Center Chapel. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Monday, February 1, 2021, 10:00AM, St. James Catholic Church, 4710 N. 90th St. INTERMENT: Monday, 1:00PM, Omaha National Cemetery, Military Rites by American Legion Post #1.

Memorials are suggested to Mercy High School, or Mt. Michael High School.

To view a live broadcast of the Vigil and Mass, go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Service” button on the home page.

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After graduation, he enlisted in the Air Force as a member of the 2866 GEEIA Squadron where he was stationed in the Aleutian Islands, the Panama Canal, and Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado.  After serving for four years, he enrolled at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, known to us growing up as “The University” where he earned a BSBA in Accounting.  While studying there he met Suz Swanson, who was working at Love Library on UNL’s campus.  They married on January 27, 1968.  They followed Bill’s accounting career around the state of Nebraska from the far western part of the state to the far eastern edge.  The family grew to include five children, 20 grandchildren (and one more on the way), and one great-granddaughter. 

Bill was a hard-working and dedicated father, who modeled a deep and enduring Catholic faith.  He was always involved in the parish activities and was an acolyte at St. John’s parish in Lincoln.  He was a lifelong supporter of Catholic education for his children.  If there was a Catholic school for his children to attend, he was determined to make that happen. All five of his children graduated from Catholic elementary and high schools, and all graduated from college.  

Bill was a quieter man by nature, but loved movies “with no socially redeeming value.”  He embraced his agricultural roots with gardens in the back yard and a thriving plant collection in the house.  He loved to “go for a drive” and vacations consisted of road trips to the ranch in Marsland, visits to the various state and national parks in the midwest, college visits with his children, and to various family weddings, reunions and other celebrations.  He was an avid woodworker and his children and grandchildren have many of his creations including plant stands, play kitchens, desks, jewelry boxes, stick horses, tic-tac-toe games, and hope chests to remember him by.  Many a Saturday afternoon was spent working in the garage or around the house with a Husker football game on the radio in the background after he had read the paper and completed the crossword puzzle.  He loved his Ford Mustangs, and was so proud to have owned the first of the new generation when they were reintroduced in 1985. 

Bill was a model of steadfast faith and perseverance. Whether we called him Bill, Dad, or Grampy, we knew he was so proud of us and loved us dearly.  We have great faith that Mom welcomed him to heaven with open arms and he smiled and said “Yes, dear.”

 

3 Comments

  • Gayleen Chickering Posted January 29, 2021 2:18 pm

    I am so very sorry for your loss! Matt and Paula, Andrew and Dani, and families know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.

  • Tony Brown Posted January 29, 2021 5:46 pm

    So very sorry for your loss. The Brown family have you in our thoughts and hearts.

  • Robert and Maureen Cooney Posted February 1, 2021 1:41 pm

    Our sympathy and prayers to the family on Bill’s passing. We knew Bill and Sue from their time at St. Bernard’s and they were a loving and kind couple always..

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