Tom Walters

Our Dad/Papaw - Melvin Thomas Walters, aged 84, passed away on January 22, 2023, while being cared for with love and compassion not just by his family, but by the nursing staff of Hendrick Hospice Care in Abilene, Texas.   A visitation with a Rosary service will be on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street in Abilene.  Rosary will start at 6:00 p.m.  Services will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at the Holy Family Catholic Church, 5410 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene.  Burial will follow at Texas State Veteran Cemetery in Abilene at 2:00 p.m.

Tom was born in New Iberia, Louisiana in July 1938 to Bill and Cecile Walters and attended St. Peter's College in New Iberia for his grade school and high school years. Immediately after graduating high school, Tom joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene after a time spent in Morocco. It was there he met his wife, Bonnie Barnes of Roby, Texas and they were married on August 11, 1960, in New Iberia, Louisiana. Their adventures in the military took them to places all over the United States including Illinois, California, Florida, North Carolina, and Arkansas.  They also called Misawa, Japan home for two years. Tom retired from the Air Force in February of 1977 and settled in Sweetwater, Texas where he lived in the same home for 44 years.

He leaves behind a family who will miss him dearly. These include, his wife of 62 years Bonnie Walters, a brother, Gene Walters (and Phyllis) of Lafayette, Louisiana, and three daughters and their spouses: Becky and Joseph Dye; Sandy and Shane Smith; and Sherrie and Scott Whittenburg.

The legacy he leaves behind includes his 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Allison Conrady (and Clay), Megan Ross (and Justin), Lauren Baker, Alex Dye (and Courtney), Kaylen Polk (and Kyle), Ethan Whittenburg (and Larissa), Joshua Dye (and Kaleigh), Noah Dye, Hudson Conrady, Kayden McCann, Holden Ross, Tucker Conrady, Tate Conrady, Kamdon Polk, Everly Ross, Stella Conrady and Scotlynn Whittenburg (arriving June 2023).

He was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Cecile Walters.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations or memorials be made to Hendrick Hospice Care of Abilene.