Kenroy Walters

Kenroy Walters, 68 , native of Bridgewater and Parker, died Saturday, December 17, 2016 while wintering in Arizona. Funeral services will be at 1:00pm Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at Hofmeister Jones Funeral Home, Parker. Burial will be at Rosehill Cemetery at Parker where he will be carried in a mule drawn hearse he hand made followed by military honors. Visitation with family present will be from 6-8pm Monday evening at Hofmeister Jones Funeral Home. Kenroy Allen Walters was born on November 29, 1948 at Sioux Falls, SD to Andrew J. and Mary E. (Wipf) Walters, the youngest of 3 brothers. He grew up in the Bridgewater area where he graduated from Bridgewater High School in 1967. He went into the US Army on April 8, 1969 and was proud to serve his country in Germany, Southeast Asia, and Vietnam. He received the US Army Achievement Medal before his discharge. He was employed with John Morrell and Company for 17 years before being diagnosed with throat cancer from agent orange and then worked for Bones Farms until retiring in 1998 due to health reasons. Like his grandfather he had a great love of horses and mules, mainly mules, and in his opinion, he had some of the best mules in the state, Fred and Fern, Pete and Joe. Many people agreed with him. He enjoyed wagon trains and trail riding with friends. During his lifetime he built many wagons, even a hearse, and buggies, one of which was sold to Disney World in Florida. He was very proud of his work. He had many Amish friends who gave him advice which he respected very highly. He loved life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Grateful for having shared his life are his 2 children, Erika (Troy) Powell, Rutland, SD and Austin (Merri) Walters, Centerville, SD; 6 grandchidlren, Megan, Austin, Ryley, Tucker, Jack, and Charleigh; his mother Mary Walters, Bridgewater, SD; a brother, Sidney Walters, Sioux Falls; and his mule Willy. He was preceded in death by his father and a brother Lyle.