Byron "Barney" Ralph Walters

Byron “Barney” Ralph Walters was born on October 18, 1927, in a farmhouse just north of Forsyth, IL to William Harrison and Effie (Orr) Walters. By the time he was three years old, the family had moved into town to start and run a grocery store which would last nearly 40 years.

Barney went to Forsyth Grade School in Forsyth and Roosevelt Junior High and Stephen Decatur High School in Decatur IL, graduating in 1944. He was drafted into the military after high school and served in the Army Air Corps in “Occupied Japan” at the close of World War II. After his return home, he went to Brown’s Business College in Decatur.

Barney married Phyllis Ann Stuckey of Decatur, IL on April 15, 1951, in Pocahontas, AR and began their family in Forsyth, IL. Over the years, besides working in the family grocery store, Barney sold feed and seed, advertising for the Decatur Herald and Review newspaper, Plaid Stamps, and real estate. Eventually, he went into business for himself as a contractor and built many houses in central Illinois, as well as a few apartment buildings and a post office. Later, he and Phyllis owned their own consignment and furniture store in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas from which he retired.

Barney loved sports and especially fastpitch softball. He played for seven years and umpired for seventeen. He was inducted into the ASA Hall of Fame in 1978 and proclaimed that he “Never Missed a Call in 17 Years!”

Barney committed his life to Jesus Christ in 1961 and through the years served the Lord as a teacher, Deacon, treasurer, music leader, and occasional preacher. He was a charter member of Forsyth Baptist Church in Forsyth, IL, and both First Baptist Church and Northside Baptist Church of Horseshoe Bend, AR and was involved in three church planting efforts!

Phyllis preceded him in death in 2013, and Barney moved in with his daughter Cinda in Batesville, AR. Later they relocated to Weatherford, TX near his son Mark and eventually, Barney moved into an assisted-living residence there. Mark passed away in 2024 and they moved to Wichita, KS near his son Craig.

After living in an independent living residence for two and a half years, Barney passed away in Kansas Medical Center, Andover, KS on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, at the age of 98!

Besides Phyllis and Mark, Barney was preceded in death by an infant son Scott Byron, Barney’s parents, three brothers and one sister - Howard, Victor, and Paul Walters, and Mabel Hudelson and their spouses - one daughter-in-law, Patricia “Tish” Walters, and a grandson, Shane Walker.

Barney is survived by his children - Terry (wife Cheryl) of Pana, IL, Cinda Walker of Wichita, KS and Craig (wife Lori) of Wichita, KS; daughter-in-law Pam Brittain Walters of Weatherford, TX; six grandchildren - Todd Walters (wife Tanya) of Merkel, TX, Brandon Walker (wife Renee) of Wyndmoor, PA, Joshua Walters (wife Angie) of New Berlin, IL, Whitney Meek (husband Dustin) of Gretna, NE, Katie O'Donnell (husband Tyler) of Wichita, KS, Quentin Walters (wife Christina) of Phoenix, AZ, and a grand-daughter-in-law Kerri Walker of Phoenix, AZ; twenty great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Barney left a great legacy and no doubt met his Lord Jesus Christ to the words of, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!”

Services are to be held at Graceland Funeral Home in their Star of Hope Mausoleum on Friday, Dec. 5 with visitation at 10 a.m. and a service to follow at 11:00. In lieu of flowers or other memorials the family would suggest that you simply donate to your favorite charity in his honor.