Raymond Joseph Walls' Obituary
Raymond Joseph Walls, a longtime resident of Welch, OK, passed away early Monday morning, September 18th, 2023 at his home, while surrounded by his family. He was 82 years old.
He was born February 7th, 1941, in the Centralia area of rural Craig County, to Lee Elonzo Walls and Margaret Emilia (Altebaumer) Walls. He was a graduate of Welch High School.
He married the former Carol Williamson in 1959. They had three children and later divorced. On December 1st, 2001, he married Donna (Stewart) Lester and they made their home in Welch. He worked for a time in Wichita, KS before returning to the Welch area where he worked at Eagle Picher, B.F. Goodrich, Shangra La, and later for Integris Baptist Village where he worked in maintenance.
Raymond loved to hunt, fish, and play the guitar which he was quite accomplished in doing. He was a member of the Saint Ann Catholic Church in Welch.
He is survived by his wife, Donna, of the home; five children, Charles Walls and wife Tammy of Welch, Darrel Walls and wife Connie of Vinita, Karri Pogue and husband Ken of Miami, Rhonda Schertz and husband Josh of Miami, and Rebekah Barborek of Orange, TX; siblings John Walls and wife Shelba of Miami, and Marlene Cook and husband Ronnie of Blanchard, OK; 12 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Rosary will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 20th, at the Thomas & Chenoweth Funeral Home in Welch. Visitation will follow from 6:00-7:30. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 21st, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miami. Reverend Sam Perez will officiate. Burial will follow in the St. Rose Cemetery, Chetopa, KS. Pallbearers will be Aaron Madden, Jason Marlow, Tyler Webster, Kade Pogue, John Robinson, and Josh Schertz.
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