Rex Walters

Rex Walters was a hardworking and loyal member of the Grand Rapids community for most of his life. He wasn’t someone consumed by material gains in life but by the satisfaction of putting his family first and doing the best job he could in whatever he was doing. Rex was a proud veteran, devoted husband, and firm father and grandfather, who enjoyed gardening, fishing, golfing and eating popcorn.

Under the leadership of President Warren G. Harding, America entered into the 1920s with confidence. The politics of the time were as turbulent as ever, yet industry had made the U.S. economy surge. Daniel and Flossie (Bolo) Walters was far removed from these things that characterized the 1920s. They lived a modest life in Hastings, Michigan with their two sons, Clarence and Larry. On July 27, 1922, the couple delighted in welcoming their third son, Rex, into their family. After the birth of their youngest son, Duane, the Walters household was complete with four boys.

Along with his brothers, Rex grew up in their family home on Bond Street in Hasting. He didn’t have the easiest childhood and was mostly raised by his father. As Rex grew older, he found solstice from the hard times by engaging in various outdoor activities, like caddying at the local golf course and training to be a long distance runner in track at school. During his school years, Rex found a passion for drawing, and after graduating from Hastings High in 1940, he went to a technical school to study drawing more in depth. Then, one day while roller skating in Hastings, Rex met the love of his life, Crystal Hampton, and with that, their love story had begun. The two fell hopelessly in love and were married shortly after Crystal graduated high school.

The happy couple didn’t have much time to settle into married life together before Rex received his draft notice from the U.S. Army, and soon had to leave his new bride, who was expecting their first child. His combat service started when he landed on the beaches of Normandy, and it lasted until the war was over. Rex was very proud of his service to his country, yet he was glad he never had any sons who would have to see the horrors of battle. For his bravery, Rex was awarded seven medals, including 3 Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. After his honorable discharge, Rex returned home to his beloved wife and baby girl. His father had bought the two a farm in Hastings, but Rex and Crystal graciously declined for they decided to make their home in Grand Rapids. It was here that the couple would raise their four daughters, Janice, Barbara, Diane and Nancy.

To provide for his family, Rex worked a variety of manufacturing jobs, including at Ohio Plate Glass, Hayes Manufacturing and Steelcase. Rex especially enjoyed his work at Ohio Plate Glass, where he was able to use his creative talents working with glass and mirrors. He had an admirable work ethic, and was dedicated to whatever task was at hand. Time together as a family was also important, and Rex and Crystal enjoyed taking their girls to the beach in Grand Haven in the summer. Without fail, Rex would load up a few boxes of sand from the beach to “top off” their sandbox at home.

For Rex, many of his happiest memories in life involved the years he spent with his beloved wife, Crystal. She was his everything, and they enjoyed being together in whatever they did. Rex was pretty reserved when it came socializing, so he and Crystal often got together with friends to go dancing (they were good dancers too) and to play cards, usually Euchre. At home, the two enjoyed working in their vegetable garden or fishing at one of their favorite water holes. In their retirement years, Rex and Crystal took up golfing for a while and bowling. They had a few farm animals and pets around the house that Rex liked to look after too. He enjoyed old time western movies, and going to garage sales, hoping to find something to add to one of his many collections, since he hated to throw anything away. Rex was pretty handy and did a lot of work around the house himself. And like clockwork, every night he made himself a big bowl of popcorn – which he absolutely loved.

Rex was fiercely strong willed, yet attentively cared for his beloved Crystal in her last years of suffering with Alzheimer’s before she passed away in 2010. Soon after, Rex moved to the Christian Rest Home, where he passed away on Sunday, April 28, 2013, at the age of 90.

Rex was preceded in death by his wife and love of his life, Crystal. Surviving are their children: Janice and George Goosen, Barbara and Dale Plowman, Diane and Robert Hake, Nancy and Mike Davidson; 16 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and great- great grandchildren; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Laverne Hampton, William and Eva Hampton, Donna and Tom Salik, Richard and June Dickinson, Phyllis Hampton, Margie Bennett; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate his life will be on Thursday, May 2, at 12 noon at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids, where relatives and friends may meet his family from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. For those who wish, memorial contributions to the Christian Rest Home are appreciated. To share a favorite memory or photo of Rex, and to sign the online guest book, please visit www.lifestorynet.com.