of Little Rock, AR
April 30, 1928 - November 13, 2020
Walter Lee Thayer of Little Rock died Friday, November 13, 2020. Walter was born in Perry, Iowa on April 30, 1928 to Ed and Gertrude Thayer.
While still a youngster, Walter's family moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where Walter graduated from Central High School. It was there he met the love of his life, Billie Marie Howell, and they were married on September 10, 1948.
Walter graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma and later received a graduate degree from the SMU Southwestern School of Banking. After college, he worked for a number of years for Dunn and Bradstreet in Oklahoma City and Wichita, Kansas. In 1965 he and Billie moved to Little Rock, where Walter went to work for the United States Small Business Administration. He held a number of positions there until his retirement in 1992.
A veteran of the Korean War, Walter served in the United States Army, 45th Division, from 1950 to 1952, and received two Bronze Stars and an Oakleaf Cluster.
Walter's Christian faith was unshakeable. He was a faithful member of Little Rock's Immanuel Baptist Church for 57 years, where he served on many committees. He was also a member of Gideons International and was an Arkansas representative to the White House Counsel on Small Business.
He was an avid football fan and although he enjoyed watching all college games with Billie on fall Saturdays, no team came close to his beloved Oklahoma Sooners. While the rare game between the Sooners and Razorbacks might have tested some of his local relationships (especially the 1979 Orange Bowl), those friendships stayed intact and he was always a good sport, no matter the outcome.
Walter was an ace bridge player, and he and Billie enjoyed countless hours playing with friends over the years, most recently with their friends at Parkway Village, where they moved in 2016.
In addition to his devotion to God and country, Walter fiercely loved his family and enjoyed nothing more than traveling to see his grandchildren. Even with the distance between them, he managed to be a significant presence in their lives as they were growing up and into their adult lives, enthusiastically attending birthday parties, sporting events, concerts, graduations, engagement parties and weddings.
In addition to his parents, Walter is preceded in death by a daughter, Terri Lee Thayer and brother, Ed.
He is survived by his wife of 72 years, as well as two daughters, Susan McKinney (husband Bob) of Brentwood, Tennessee, and Kay Ely (husband John) of Little Rock; six grandchildren, Daniel McKinney (wife Krista) of Marietta, Georgia; Maggie Majors (husband Ben) of Huntsville, Alabama; David McKinney of Birmingham, Alabama; Chris Watson of Arlington, Virginia; Katie Watson of Vienna, Virginia; and Garrett Watson of Alexandria, Virginia. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church of Little Rock, 501 North Shackleford, 72211.
Funeral services under the direction of Roller Chenal Funeral Home will be held at a later date.
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15 Condolence(s)
Janice West
Sunday, December 20, 2020
Susan,
I am so sorry to read about your dad. I remember well the many times we were in your home on weekends from Ouachita. Your parents were so kind and caring for all of us. It has been too many years, but I have no trouble recalling what a wonderful person he was.
Janice West
Lissa Young McCoy
Thursday, December 3, 2020
Dear Kay, I tried to send you a message regarding the passing of your mom and dad after I saw their obituaries but I'm not sure it went. Anything I try to do on my cell phone never seems to work. Anyway, I'm terribly sorry about their deaths, especially being so close together. The only good from that is that you know they are together in heaven. And you've got to know they are watching over you. That has to be comforting. I hope your holidays will still be holidays. I'm sure Thanksgiving was tough. And please know my prayers go with you and yours. I love you. Take care.
Lissa and Bill McCoy
Jane W Porter
Sunday, November 29, 2020
May you be comforted with happy memories of a life well lived. I know he is among friends!
With sympathy,
Jane Wofford Porter
Winston & Susan Bryant
Monday, November 16, 2020
We were so sad to hear of Walter's death. Billie and him were such a sweet couple and we enjoyed them being in our Sunday School class for a number of years. We just want the family to know they are in our thoughts and prayers.
Danny Mulkey
Monday, November 16, 2020
Walter was way more of an influence and encouragement to me than he would have imagined. I loved him dearly and I loved cutting up and laughing with him. He and Billie always made me feel like part of the family. Can't wait to see you, Walter, in heaven. I know you're already having a ball.
Danny
Sandra Kurosaki
Monday, November 16, 2020
Billie, Susan, and Kay,
Ryan and I were both saddened to hear of Walter's passing. He was a such a special man, husband, father, and I'm sure, grandfather as well. He was indeed blessed to live to see great-grandchildren. We are both so sorry for your loss, and are praying for your peace and comfort in our Father, the God of all comfort. Love, Sandra and Ryan
Sharon & Robert Hallmark
Sunday, November 15, 2020
Heaven rejoiced when Walter Thayer entered its gates! I know those who loved him most will miss him terribly; he was such a kind and loving husband and dad. Some of our fondest memories growing up are of the fun times spent at the Thayers' house. Walter and Billie Marie were always so kind to put up with us teenagers and loved being a part of our fun.
May you feel God's loving arms surrounding you in a special way while those of us who love you can't be with you in person. Our hearts are grateful for the happy memories we share and we look forward to the day when we can hug you again.
Kerri Peden
Sunday, November 15, 2020
Dear Thayer Family, I grieve your loss but celebrate Mr. Walter's home going, where he, without a doubt has heard the applause of heaven and ''well done...''. I will always think of him on the first of the month rounds @ PWV. Love & prayers ♥️
Dotty Moore
Sunday, November 15, 2020
Dear Billie and family,
I'm so sorry for the vacuum in your lives created by Walt's departure to Heaven.
He was so sweet to us in the clinic even when I knew he was in pain. He so rarely complained. I'm so grateful to have been blessed to know him and be one of his nurses at Parkway Village Clinic.
Dotty Moore
Chuck Brown
Sunday, November 15, 2020
Walter was such a blessing and encouragement to me by how he lived his life and treated others. He and Billie Marie were models for my wife and I to observe in seeing the fruits of a marriage where Christ is the head of the home. We love the Thayers.
Beth and Mike Coulson
Saturday, November 14, 2020
We will miss our dearest friend, Walter, so much. Walter and Billie have been fixtures in our lives since they joined Immanuel 57 years ago and I was just 9 years old. They were such a wonderful example to married young adults when they served in Sunday School for so many years. I've never known a couple more devoted to each other and their family. Our prayers are with the entire family.
Jim Marsh
Friday, November 13, 2020
My heart-felt condolences to Billie and family. We were neighbors of Walter and Billie since 1985. I was a nurse on a cardiac floor where I met Billie, who was a patient. Walter was a dear Christian and quiet mentor, not only to me, but to many. Walter was a humble soul. May he receive a crown of glory.
Donna and Lyndon Finney
Friday, November 13, 2020
We were so saddened today to hear of Walter's passing. Walter and Billie Marie were two of the first sweet people we had the privilege of knowing when we joined Immanuel in 1973. What a precious couple!
To know them is to love them. Our love and prayers go out to the entire family.
Cynthia Mercado
Friday, November 13, 2020
A truly respectable and kind man! I have been his and Billie's neighbor for 25 years and I am glad to have known them. My sincere condolences to Billie and family. Eternal rest unto his soul.
Rae Ann Henson
Friday, November 13, 2020
Billie, Susan and Kay,
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Walter. I cannot recount all of the wonderful memories of Walter. Those memories begin in the elementary school days through adulthood. The impact that Walter had on my life are beyond words! He was such a Christian influence for me. I know he is walking the streets of gold in Heaven right now:) Pain free and happy. My prayers are with you all during these days of sadness. I love you all!
Rae Ann