Obituary of Rudolph V. Walters

Rudolph V. "Rudy" Walters, 87, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, September 30, 2014. Mr. Walters was born on April 24, 1927 in Anson County, North Carolina. He entered into the armed forces for his country in World War II as a sailor in the United States Merchant Marines, and also served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He worked in the insurance industry for 25 years primarily with Nationwide Insurance in Columbia, SC and retired in 1985. He was a devoted family man, offering encouragement and wisdom to friends and colleagues. He was a passionate servant and Sunday school teacher at Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church in Columbia and had a special place in his heart for the East Columbia Optimist Club. He was an avid outdoorsman and a member of the National Birdhunters Association in which he had a great love for raising, training, and running bird dogs. His family and friends will miss him greatly, but his love and inspiration will endure. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Day Walters; two sons, Rudy J. Walters, Sr. of Columbia, SC and David B. Walters (Joanne) of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Rudy J. Walters, Jr. of Christiansburg, VA, Ashley Skrypek (Tony) of Hampstead, NC, and Tara Talbert of Charlotte, NC; great-grandchildren, Savannah Skrypek and Ramsey Skrypek of Hampstead, NC, and Brea Talbert of Charlotte, NC; a host of other loving relatives and that will miss him dearly. A funeral service celebrating the life of "Rudy" will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, October 4, 2014 at Asbury Memorial United Methodist, 1005 Asbury Drive, Columbia, SC 29209 with Pastor Steve McCormick officiating and interment to follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday evening at Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church, 1005 Asbury Drive, Columbia, SC 29209 in Rudy's memory. On-line condolences may be sent to www.Thompsonsfuneral.com.