John Leslie Walters

He was born on January 22, 1924, in Circleville, UT to John and Della Walters.

At the age of nine, he moved with his now single mother and sister, Janiece to Las Vegas, NV, where

they eventually ended up in Ragtown, the tent city by Hoover Dam. It was here where his mother met

and married the man that Les considered his father, Louis Eck. Upon completion of the dam that his

father helped build, the family relocated to the Bay area. He combined his time in the United States Air Force

and college, graduating from California State University, San Jose in 1951. He was very proud of his

Air Force career, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During college and the Air Force, he took

up boxing, which he excelled at. He loved working with young kids at the YMCA and did body building

with a newcomer named Jack LaLanne.

His business degree and a strong work ethic instilled by his parents, which he carried with him his entire life,

served him well. Moving to Fresno in the early 1950's, he entered the furniture business, eventually owning

his own store. He worked a time for Guarantee Savings; Land Dynamics; owner, operator, broker, and agent

of Navelencia Realty; and part time rancher raising cattle, oranges, and almonds. The passions he enjoyed

growing up were a big part of his adult life, hunting, fishing, horse riding, dogs, flying and dancing.

Les is survived by his children, Shari Rainwater and husband Greg, Lori Ansell and husband Dennis,

Leslie Walters, and Brett Walters and wife Kari; grandchildren, Jocelynn Ansell, Tace Ansell,

Matthew Rainwater, and Sarah Rainwater; and two nieces; and one nephew..

Arrangements under the direction of Stephens & Bean Funeral Chapel, Fresno, CA.