of Conway, AR

March 29, 1955 - May 17, 2024

Ralph Paul Walter passed away peacefully the morning of May 17th, 2024 at the age of 69 in his hometown of Conway, AR.

Diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at the age of 13, he was the posterchild of a warrior and what never giving up meant, especially after he was told he was not expected to live past the age of 35.

Ralph met the love of his life, Marilyn, on a blind date at the county fair in 1971 at the age of 16 and it was love at first sight. He graduated from Conway High School in 1973, where he was often seen burning the streets of Conway driving his Hotrods. In 1975, he made his dream come true by marrying Marilyn at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Ralph also took his love for cars and turned it into a career. He started working at Jodie Brown Motors at the age of 17 washing cars and stayed with the company, working his way up to Parts Manager at Jodie Brown Motors and eventually retired from Crain Buick GMC.

If you know Ralph, you loved Ralph. He never met a stranger, was a friend to all and treated everyone with the greatest kindness. Apart from Marilyn, Ralph loved his family and especially his grandchildren. He often said, ''the only reason you have children is so you can have grandchildren.''.

Ralphie, as he was referred to by his grandchildren and friends, loved doing yard work with his Gravely riding lawn mower, smoking cigars on his porch, sharing a glass of whiskey with his Whiskey Wednesday crew and spending time with friends and family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Ruth Walter; his father and mother-in-law, Jerome and Albertine Moix and brother-in-law, David Kraft.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; his son, Jeremy (Emily) Walter; his daughter, Erin (David) Starbuck; three grandchildren, Victoria Walter, Noah Spiridigliozzi and Tatum Starbuck and Rory, his Redbone Hound dog. He also left behind a number of brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

On Monday May 20, 2024 there will be a Rosary beginning at 6:00pm. A visitation will immediately follow from 6:30-8:00pm at St. Joseph Church in Conway, The Mass of Christan Burial will be at St. Joseph Church on Tuesday May 21, 2024, beginning at 10:30am.

The family asks for donations in lieu of flowers to be made to ''Jerome and Albertine Moix Religious Education Endowment Fund'' at St. Joseph Endowment Office 1315 College Ave. Conway, AR 72034.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-McNutt Funeral Home
650 Central Landing Blvd.
Conway, AR  72032
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com