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.
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37 Condolence(s)
William and Sandra Ake
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Marilyn, I just found out about Ralph's passing. We are so sorry for your loss and our hearts go out to you and your whole family. May he rest in peace in the arms of his loving Father and may He give you comfort and peace in the coming days.
Starla Gresham
Friday, May 24, 2024
Sweet Marilyn what a blessing Walter was to so many people. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Barbara Smith
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Marilyn and family, I am just learning about Ralph's passing. I am so sorry and will keep you in my prayers. Love to all.
Pam Markham
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Marilyn, I am so very sorry for your loss. Sending love and prayers for comfort.
Bob Barham
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
My deepest sympathy and prayers to this family. I'm sorry for your loss.
Ron and Judy luyet
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you.
Ron and Judy luyet
Peggy Grobmyer
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Condolences and prayers for the family. Ralph was always a kind and helpful person. I remember him volunteering for Victoria’s field trip to Lake Dardanelle (along with Jeremy). They were both wonderful to have along and it was so great to have them with us. I know he will be missed.
Ron and Judy luyet
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you.
Ron and Judy luyet
Christy Hogan
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
I met Ralph when I played golf at Cadron Valley Country Club. He and Marilyn were always so sweet and so patient.
Our world is a little less bright with his loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Marilyn and his family.
Paula Mcgary
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Marilyn and family….my condolences and prayers lifted for you all.
Todd & Susie Freyaldenhoven
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Dear Marilyn and Family,
We were blessed to know Ralph for the 16 years we were your "old" neighbors on Sternwheel. He always had a big smile, huge heart, and love for everyone he met. Our favorite memories are of him walking Rory around the neighborhood and always stopping by to visit with us and our grandkids out in the yard. Levi still remembers him and wanting to pet Rory and Dixie dog wanting to play. He was always ready and willing to pull me out of the mud whenever I got the mower stuck. LOL.
The world was definitely a better place because of him.
Praying for all of you.
With Love,
Susie and Todd
Ron and Judy luyet
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you.
Ron and Judy luyet
LINDA Sue moix
Monday, May 20, 2024
Thoughts and prayers are with Marylin and family,
Ralph was such a sweet man , he will be with my Ralph
now in Heaven . Love to you all...
Linda Gerraputa
Monday, May 20, 2024
So sorry to hear about Ralph . He was such a friendly person always stopping to talk as he and Marilyn walked . And I loved Rory !! Prayers for Marilyn and all the family at this difficult time .
MARK ZIMMEREBNER
Monday, May 20, 2024
My deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to Marilyn and a ll of Ralph's family and friends. I know of no person friendlier than Ralph and his sense of humor will aiways be greatly remembered and treasured. He will be remembered in my prayers, as well as all the family and friends.
I regret that I cannot be at the rosary or funeral. I am recovering from a mild case of Covid and must, for a few more days avoid large groups of people. Be assured of my prayers.
Brenda Shipp Jeffers
Monday, May 20, 2024
I met Ralph when he came to pick up my new friend Marilyn whom I’d met at Girl State. I already felt like I knew him from Marilyn telling me all about him. He turned out to be as wonderful as she’d said he was. Over the 51 years we’ve know each other I’ve always known theirs was truly a match made in heaven. Even though we didn’t get to visit much, when we did it was like there’d never been any long separations.
Marilyn, I was truly shocked when I saw this. My heart breaks for you, Jeremy and Erin and the grandchildren and all of your families. I will always treasure my memories of him. Love you.
Evelyn Burnett
Sunday, May 19, 2024
So sorry hear to hear of Ralph’s passing.
May God be with you during this time!
John Spiridigliozzi
Sunday, May 19, 2024
Good man, good husband, father grandfather and a good friend. Loved and missed. DLTOMI buddy.
Paul T Gibson
Sunday, May 19, 2024
I knew Ralph when he worked at Jodie Brown Motor Co. in the Parts Dept with Ira Workman. I was quite sure he would wind up as the Mngr. when Ira retired and he didn't disappoint. He did a good job, respecting the goals of Jodie and the people that worked in the dealership. When I was transferred, I kept in contact with Ralph, helping him whenever I could. I missed him then and I miss him now... Requiescant in pace, my friend.
Michael and Breonna Anderson
Sunday, May 19, 2024
We are heartbroken to hear of Ralph’s passing. He was so kind to our family and always made us feel welcome. Our prayers go out to Marilyn and his family, he will be greatly missed
Paul and Laura Pruitt
Sunday, May 19, 2024
Marilyn and familly we are so sorry for your loss Sending our love and prayers
Mary Ann Rains
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Marilyn and Family,
Ralph was a wonderful man and will be sorely missed. Praying for God's love and peace to surround you. I'm so sorry. Sending love and hugs.
Phyllis Childers
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Marilyn, I am so sorry for your loss of such a GREAT man. My thoughts and prayers are with you during these dark times. He will forever be watching over you.
Rodney Strader & Donna Blanchard
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Sending our condolences to Marilyn and her family. We are sad to her about Ralph. He was such a likeable guy.
Stephanie Aeilts Strain
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Jeremy and family, I am so deeply sorry for the loss of Ralph. You are all in my prayers.
Tommy and Dorothy Bougher
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Marilyn Dorothy and I will miss Ralph’s smile he was a real genuine man and a friend,we will be praying for you and your family.
Pat and Bruce Battles
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Marilyn and family,
Never has my heart been more broken for someone than you. Sadness is an understatement. Please know I am praying for some kind of comfort and strength in the coming days. Please know I am on the other end of your cell phone.
Eddie and Trella
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Craig Adamson
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Ralph will be truly missed I had the blessing of knowing him for many years. He was always such a joy when you were in his presence.
Mary-Catherine Flanagin Glover
Saturday, May 18, 2024
I’m so sorry! He always made me smile because of his sweet smile and happy attitude! Sending hugs and prayers to each of you!
Cliff Johnston
Saturday, May 18, 2024
I always love being around Ralph he was always happy and just fun to be around. Praying for you loss
Alice Bernard
Saturday, May 18, 2024
I’m going to miss you so much Ralphie.
Tom and Jean Fuentes
Saturday, May 18, 2024
I knew Ralph most of my life. He was my neighbor and a good friend. When tornado warnings went out my family went down to Ruth and Pete’s house to get in the storm cellar. He will be greatly missed. Prayers for his family for peace during this time.
Paula Smitu
Saturday, May 18, 2024
I am heartbroken to learn of Ralph’s passing
Mary Deden
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Marilyn and family I'm so sorry for your loss. Ralph was a great man. I enjoyed being neighbors with Ms. Ruth. We know we will meet again.
John & Maricel Hoyt
Saturday, May 18, 2024
We will miss you greatly, here, but long for the day to see you again with all of the other "greats" in heaven. Love you, Ralph!
Brenda Sue McClain
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Marilyn and family, I am so sorry for your loss. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.