William Terence Walters

Born on the 4th of July, 1949 in Fort Worth, Texas, Bill was larger than life and loved by everyone he met. Son of Ted and Ladie Ruth Walters, with older siblings Dave and Pat, Bill grew up in the same home in Forth Worth, earned the rank of Eagle in Boy Scouts, and was passionate about band and orchestra as a teenager, proudly playing the clarinet and oboe throughout middle and high school. Bill graduated from Arlington Heights High School in 1967 and earned his bachelors in business in 1972 from “The University of Texas, Almost” as he liked to say, aka the University of Texas at Arlington. In his college years, Bill was on the rifle team and was proud to be nationally ranked.

After college, Bill joined the Navy, where he found the passion that carried throughout the rest of his life — flying. Zooming off of aircraft carriers in the A-6 Intruder gave him a rush like nothing could describe. In 1979, Bill transitioned to Naval Reserves, where he continued as an A-7 pilot and ultimately retired a Commander in the mid-1990s. After active duty, Bill became a pilot for American Airlines and continued his passion for flight until retiring as a 777 Captain in 2008. Not yet ready to fully hang up his wings, Bill worked for Boeing after retirement, training new crews in the simulator on the 777 and 787.

Always one to tinker with electronics, Bill was ahead of his time. He was a ham radio operator in his childhood, and was proud to have built a home computer in 1980 using Basic. Twenty years before Alexa was a thing, Bill made his own home automation system, which would always surprise his wife, Cheryl, when it announced dates or reminders.

In addition to his beloved wife Cheryl, the most important people in Bill’s life were his daughter, Amanda, son BJ, and step-son Austin. Bill cherished his grandchildren Naomi, Bryson, Ethan, and Levi, and was always there for any member of his extended family — ready and willing to lend a hand, a smile, or support.

In his retired years, Bill and Cheryl took great joy in spending time in their RV — going to Cape Cod and Red River in the summers, making new friends at the RV parks, and having family join for camping trips. They always traveled with their beloved animals — Jake, Truman, Lizzie, Carson, and even the cat, Boo.

Bill was most known for his loving heart, wicked (dirty) sense of humor, and gregarious personality. No matter where he went or who he was with, he made everyone smile and laugh. He was a wonderful husband, father, uncle, brother, grandfather, and friend, and he will be deeply missed.

Please join us for Bill’s Celebration of Life on Saturday, 1 June at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home (5725 Colleyville Blvd, Colleyville, TX 76034). Visitation will be held from 3:00 - 4:00; funeral service from 4:00 - 5:00; and reception from 5:00 - 7:00.