Welker Walters Obituary (1922 - 2004)

WATERVILLE - Welker F. Walters, 82, of Waterville, died Sunday, May 30, 2004, at Lakewood Nursing Home in Waterville. He was born May 12, 1922, in Freeport, Ill., the son of Floyd and Alice (Schroeder) Walters. Welker grew up in Illinois and, after high school, he enlisted in the Coast Guard. He served on an LST and a destroyer escort during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1946. He met his wife, Dorothy (Choate) Walters, while stationed in Rockland. After the war they married and moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa. Welker worked for the Illinois Central Railroad for 18 years. They moved back to Maine in 1957 and Mr. Walters worked for the Internal Revenue Service and several local car dealerships before beginning his last career at Augusta Rubber. He retired from Augusta Rubber in 1986. The Walters' moved to Venice, Fla., in 1987 and remained there until 1997, when they moved to the Park Residences in Waterville. Welker loved to make a garden and cook, but especially liked spending time with his grandchildren. The one passion he brought with him from Illinois was his love for the Chicago Cubs, whom he enjoyed watching on television. Mr. Walters is survived by his wife, Dorothy; two sons, Lon Walters and his wife, Sue, of Augusta and Florida, and David F. Walters and his wife, Elizabeth, of East Boothbay; two daughters, Janet Walters Hill of Hickory, N.C., and Joyce Walters and her partner, Steve Ridley, of Hallowell; nine grandchildren, Aaron Hill, Jonathan Hill, Bethany Johnson, Elisha Ward, Christopher, Matthew, Joan and Nicholas Walters and Laura Riordan; and three great-grandchildren. Relatives and friends may visit from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 2, at Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta, where a 1 p.m. funeral service will be held Thursday. Burial will follow in Carter Cemetery, Farmingdale. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, Mass. 01701.