Kenneth L. Walters' Obituary
July 24, 1921 - December 10, 2010
Kenneth (Ken) L. Walters died at his home in Auburn, WA on December 10, 2010. As the youngest child of Bert and Nettie Walters, Ken spent his childhood on the family farm near Wetmore, KS. After high school graduation in 1939 he attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS from 1940-1942 where he completed classes leading to a B.S. degree in Agricultural Engineering. In Sept. 1942 Ken answered the call to military service joining the U.S. Army Air Corps where he was schooled as an airplane hydraulic mechanic. Ken served with the Air Transport Command in Burma from Jan 1945-Jan 1946. After being discharged he returned to Kansas State University where he graduated in 1948 with a B.S. degree in Geology. He immediately began working for the Kansas State Geological Survey. In January 1948 he married the love of his life, Evelyn Lewis Rees. In 1957 the family was transferred to Tacoma, WA, where Ken was reassigned to supervising and testing of deep observation test wells in Eastern, WA, resulting in dramatically improved irrigation systems for the crops in the area. In 1967, Ken was reclassified from a geologist to a hydrologist and he retired in August 1981. His last work assignment was on Mt. St. Helens after the eruption. After retiring Ken discovered his talent for woodcarving and delighted his family and friends with his creations. He served as a volunteer for many wonderful causes. Of all his accomplishments Ken was most proud of his family, who adored him. His trademark sense of humor and dry wit were present to the end. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Bert and Nettie, brother Harold, sister Leota and granddaughter Jennifer. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Evelyn, children, Cheryl Gower (Charles), Cathy Cooper, and Larry Walters (C.J.), three grandchildren and four great grandchildren. The family wishes to thank Nurse Twila of Providence Hospice for the care she gave Ken for the last months of his life. Graveside services will be held on December 15 at 12:30 p.m. at Mountain View Funeral Cemetery and a Celebration of Life will be held on December 18 at 1 p.m. at Wesley Homes Lea Hill in Auburn. Donations only to the American Lung Association or Providence Hospice.
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