of Little Rock, AR
September 21, 1921 - December 14, 2018
Lt. Colonel Walter M. Dickinson Sr. age 97 met his Heavenly Father on December 14,, 2018. He was the 3rd of 4 children born to Ruby and Walter M. Dickinson of Worcester, Massachusetts. Walter is survived by his wife of 73 years, Mary Carlice Mathis Dickinson, brother Win Dickinson of Worcester, daughters Marilyn Miller and Carolyn Owen (Charlie), and son Walt M. Dickinson Jr. (DeeDee), grandchildren Michelle Nichols (Larry), Laura Geurin (Scott), Dickinson Gates Smith, Walt Dickinson III, Mary Dickinson and Will Dickinson. Walter is also survived by 4 great grandchildren, Lindsey and Miller Nichols, Scottie and Rileigh Geurin.
Walter was a WWII veteran. After enlisting in the Army, he was sent to the Pacific theater where he was wounded in combat in Okinawa, ultimately earning two purple hearts and a bronze star. Following active duty he continued his military career in the Army Reserve where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. While stationed at Camp Robinson before the war, Walter met the love of his life, Carlice Mathis. After the war he returned to Arkansas and they were married in 1945. He graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1950 and returned to Little Rock where he began his long career with Missouri Pacific Railroad. He also served as a trustee for the United States Bankruptcy Court until retirement at the age of 88. At that time, he was the oldest living trustee in the United States.
Walter loved the outdoors. Hiking, camping and climbing Pinnacle Mountain (which he did until his early 80's) where favorites. Also, he was an avid reader of mystery novels. Most of all, Walter was a Godly, spiritual man. He was a devoted member of First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and on the board of trustees. He also taught Sunday school to teens for over 50 years. He was a member of the Arkansas Bar Association, past president of the Optimist Club and a member of the LR Touchdown Club, which he enjoyed immensely. Carolyn and Walt would like to thank their sister Marilyn for living with and taking care of their parents
The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Drew Kumpuris, Dr. Cliff Parnell, and Dr. Kenneth Johnson. We would also like to acknowledge the staff at Kindred Hospice and Woodland Heights Memory Care for their loving, compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, donations to First Baptist Church, Little Rock are appreciated. Visitation will be on Tuesday, December 18th at 10:30 a.m., Roller Chenal Funeral Home. The funeral will follow at 11:30 and burial will be at Pinecrest at 1:00.
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19 Condolence(s)
Joe and Bonnie Magness
Thursday, December 20, 2018
Carlice, Marilyn, Carolyn and Walt
Walter was a great and wonderful man and very respected. We are proud to have known and loved him. God bless you all in your loss.
Joe and Bonnie Magness
Sam Sanders and family
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
We are so sorry for your loss. Prayers of peace and comfort at this sad time.
Beverly Robertson
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
I met Mr. Dickinson many years when he would come into the Secretary of State's UCC division to do searches. He was such a wonderful man and I have fond memories of visiting with him when he came in. I have often wondered about him and wished that I could let him know what a positive impression he made on me. I'm sure he will be greatly missed.
Terry and Walt
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Carolyn, Marilyn, and Walt (and Terry Collins) — We were so saddened to learn of your father’s passing. What a remarkable man he was!
I’m so sorry to have to miss the service today — I don’t want to expose you to this brutal cold I have. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Please hug your sweet Mama for me, and may you all feel the warmth of God’s arms as he wraps them around you.
— Terry and Pepper
Randy and Elizabeth Elrod
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Marilyn, Carolyn, Walt and families, we were so sorry to hear of your father's passing. Although we did not know him, we know you and all three of you are obviously a reflection of the wonderful man he was. You are in our prayers. We pray for peace and comfort for you all.
Don snd Shanelle Long
Monday, December 17, 2018
We pray that family and friends find peace and comfort in sharing the love and memorues of a special man and a long life well lived.
Don and Shanelle Long.
Iboo Miller
Monday, December 17, 2018
What an amazing man Mr. D was!!! Husband, father, grandfather extraordinaire! Loved hearing his stories. He had such a zest for life and sure lived a long and joyous one. My heart goes out to each of you and this is a hard loss for your family. Much love and many hugs,
Iboo
John Wimberly
Monday, December 17, 2018
To the Dickinson family. I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Brenda CarlLee
Monday, December 17, 2018
My condolences to a beautiful family on their loss. I am with you in spirit and prayers. Please know that I wil be thinking of you tomorrow although I am unable to be with you in person. Love to you all.
Tylin & Marlene
Monday, December 17, 2018
The extraordinary life of Walter M. Dickinson is embodied in the lives of those he touched so profoundly. His Paternal legacy, service to country and his deep and abiding faith in God shaped the people around him in ways that can not be measured, but remembered reverently. Simply, he is honored and loved!
Jim Moore
Monday, December 17, 2018
To the family of Walter, we are sharing your sorrow with the loss of Walter. He devoted his time and years in leading our group and supporting the members through his knowledge and expertise. He had a genuine concern for those of us who had related medical issues. Walter rest in peace, your service here on Earth has been transferred to Heaven. You were a great advisor to me and I will miss your stories and your presence.
JIM MOORE, President, Central Arkansas Ostomy Association Support Group.
Martha Cullins
Monday, December 17, 2018
May God wrap His loving arms around you in the homegoing of Walter. He was such a fine Christian man. I know you will miss him very much. You are in my prayers.
Timmy Jameson
Monday, December 17, 2018
Marilyn, Carolyn, Walt and families... my deepest sympathies for your loss - but what a wonderful life your Dad had! Praying for peace and comfort.
Alma Sumler
Sunday, December 16, 2018
I would like to express my condolences in the loss of your dear loved one. The bible gives us hope of seeing them again in the promised resurrection to come according to scriptures such as [John 5:28-29] and [Acts 24:15]. We find further hope in scriptures like [Isaiah 25:8] and [Revelations 21:3-5] which says in part that Jehovah God will wipe out every tear from our eyes and death will be no more, because God will swallow up death forever. I hope these scriptures will be of some comfort.
With Deep Sympathy.
barbara White
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Marilyn you are in my thoughs and prayers . Barbara White
Gari Lynn Bassett
Sunday, December 16, 2018
To the Dickinson Family,
My deepest sympathies to all of you in the great loss of Mr. Dickinson. Your family is a testament to the man he was and the love he had for each of you. I know he will be greatly missed but he was welcomed to his heavenly home with job well done!
All my love,
Gari Bassett
Pat Jones
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Regrets to Walt Jr and the family !!!
Mr. and Mrs. Jan Nicholson
Sunday, December 16, 2018
This was one extraordinary man. He was a great husband, father, patriot, grandfather, my Sunday school teacher and Christian. These individuals are becoming more and more extinct in our society today. Heaven welcomes a wonderful person and I know my mother and father will enjoy him in heaven as much as they did here on earth. He has made sure that his family will join him also. Mission accomplished.
Randy and Cindy McComb
Saturday, December 15, 2018
We were so sorry to hear about Mr. Dickenson
Our thoughts and prayers for your wonderful family. You were blessed with such a wonderful father, husband and grandfather. Our prayers are with you! Randy and Cindy McComb, Sara Cathey and Trip Hale and Chris and Anna Kennedy.