She was 95 years old. Winifred is survived by her son Michael F. Walters (Dawn) of Rockwall; her daughter Janet L. Hale (Richard) of Montgomery, Texas; her grandson Kevin M. Walters of Dallas, Texas, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Dora Lee Hodges, her father, William C. Hodges, her husband Col. Thurmond L. Walters, and six siblings: James F. Hodges, Naomi Duett, Anna Mary Gagliardi, Billy Hodges, Armand Hodges, and Curtis Hodges.
Winifred was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 7, 1923. She was a member of the Northeast High School graduating class of 1940. Winifred proudly served in the United States Marine Corp during World War II and was honorably discharged on April 6, 1946. Winifred married Lt. Col. Thurmond L. (Buck) Walters on June 28, 1946, a union that lasted 48 years until his death on May 18, 1994.
Winifred lived in numerous places throughout her life including Camp Pendleton, California, Fort Monroe, Virginia; Arlington, Texas; Heidelberg, Germany; and San Antonio Texas. However, she claimed Missouri as her home and spent the majority of her life in Independence and Raytown. She moved to Dallas, Texas in 1999 where she resided until her death.
Winifred was a hard-working member of the “greatest generation.” Before enlisting in the Marine Corps, Winifred supervised 40 employees at Montgomery Wards in Kansas City. She later worked for the U.S. Department of Labor for twenty-seven years, advancing from an entry-level position to Personnel Officer at the time of her retirement on January 3, 1984.
Winifred enjoyed her family and friends, gospel and country music (especially Elvis and Willie Nelson), growing flowers, watching birds, researching genealogy, collecting Hummels, and riverboat gambling with her brothers when she would return to Missouri for a visit. She felt she had a wonderful life and was ready to be called home.
It is with the greatest gratitude that the family thanks Dawn Walters (Winifred’s daughter-in-law) for her caregiving, nursing, and hospice care which both enriched and prolonged Winifred’s life. Additionally, the family thanks Dr. Nhan P. Nguyen, of the HeartPlace Methodist Richardson Cardiovascular Group who kept her heart beating during many challenging times and circumstances.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday May 9, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131. An entombment service with military honors will be held May 10th at 10:00 a.m. outside of the Faith Mausoleum at Mount Moriah Cemetery.
