Raymond "Ray" Francis Walter

Raymond Francis "Ray" Walter, much loved father, brother, uncle and friend, formerly of Spokane, WA, died peacefully on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Ray was born in Iowa City, Iowa to the late Arthur Raymond Walter & Berniece Droll Walter. He attended Catholic schools in Iowa City and in Spokane, where he started his sophomore year at Cheney High School. He was a lettered basketball player, graduating in 1955. After high school, he volunteered for the draft and served in the US Army, 4th Engineer Battalion (Inf. Div.) at Fort Lewis, WA. After an Honorable Discharge, he began working in construction then later started up his own company, Ray Walter Painting, as an interior/exterior residential and commercial painter for more than 40 years. Ray was an avid hunter, fisherman and lover of wildlife and the outdoors. The one real love of his life was his only daughter, Wendy Walter of Santa Fe, NM, who survives him along with her fiancé, Loal Tucker and his children, Loal P. and Abrie of Santa Fe. He also leaves his ex-wife, Bobbie Walter of Cedar Crest, NM and stepson Joel Gonzalez of Montana, and grandson Jesse Gonzalez of Medical Lake, WA and stepson Kelly Terhaar of Charlotte, NC. His sisters survive him, Kathleen Ascencio (Nelson) of Port Orchard, WA, Donna Soderberg (the late Richard) of Spokane, WA, Judy Nelson (Pete) of Germantown, TN and nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, his aunt Kathryn Walter of Tacoma, WA and cousins and his many, many friends, all of whom he loved dearly! The family would like to thank the medical professionals at the Albuquerque VA Intensive Care who cared for Ray, especially Kathleen Kelley RN and Dr. Stephen Weiss of Colorado. Viewing/visitation for family and friends will be on July 19 at 11:00 am-12:00 pm at Holy Cross Cemetery Chapel, 7200 N. Wall St., Spokane. A graveside service will follow at 12:30 pm. A gathering for family and friends to reminisce about Ray's life will follow immediately at Pineriver Park, 525 E. Greenleaf Drive, Spokane, WA. He will be missed, but his fun-loving spirit will live forever in the hearts of all who loved him.