"Barbara- So Sorry to hear of Ted's passing. I will never forget all the support he gave doing my term as Executive Director of the Wheeling Housing Authority. He always gave me so much encouragement. He was such a good person and and will be truly missed. Just wanted you to know that I just heard. I'm now living in Florida. What a big change from West Virginia but guess I will get use to it. Mary Sue Huff"
In loving memory of
Theodore Delmar Walters, Jr.
January 5, 1928 - August 3, 2015
Theodore Ted Walters, Jr., age 87, formerly of Wheeling, passed away August 3rd in Austin, Texas where his loving wife, Barbara, and he had lived for the past 11 years. Ted died as he lived, surrounded by his family, listening to music, telling stories, and entertaining the hospital staff.
Born in Monesson, Pennsylvania on January 5, 1928, Ted was one of 11 children of Theodore, Sr. and Irene Walters. He developed his passion for music at a young age singing with his sisters. Ted moved to Wheeling when he was 16 and promptly went to work at the Ohio Valley Medical Center (OV) in the kitchen. He joined the U.S. Army in 1950 during the Korean War, trained in tanks with the Third Armored Division at Fort Knox, Kentucky and received a special commendation from his commanding officer as Outstanding Trainee. Ted served in Korea and Japan.
After his military service, Ted returned to OV and advanced through the ranks at the hospital over the next four decades. He became the first African-American to become the hospitals Chief Administrative Engineer. He was honored by the American Society of Hospital Engineers as a Fellow, a Senior Fellow, and, ultimately, a Diplomate. He was honored to become a member of OVMCs Board of Directors. He also served as a member of the Board of the Wheeling Housing Authority for many years. In retirement, Ted worked for REM at its group homes in the Wheeling area.
Active in the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, Ted was President of the Greater Wheeling Development Corporation, an organization that focused on civil rights in the Wheeling area. Further, the Walters were the driving force behind the Jimmy Paige Learning Center in Wheeling in the early 1990s where they spent many hours remodeling a house on Lind Street to house the Center. Then Governor Gaston Caperton and U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller honored the Walters for their work at its grand opening in 1991. Walters Avenue in Wheeling is named after Barbara and Ted.
Ted and Barbara were faithful members of historic Simpson Methodist Church on Eoff Street for decades. They were married at Simpson in 1953, raised their children in it, renovated it, and remained involved in its life even after they moved to Texas for Teds health.
Ted was known as a story-teller extraordinaire--some of which might have been true. Ted and Barbara were also members of the Beau Brummels in Wheeling. Ted renovated numerous buildings around Wheeling and continued to work with his hands until his death.
Ted is survived by his spouse of 62 years, Barbara Walters of Lakeway, Texas, his four children, Adrienne Cooper (and spouse Judge Kevin Cooper) of Pittsburg; Del Walters, III (and spouse Robin) of Leesburg, Virginia; Tracy Walters McCormack (and spouse Jim) of Austin, Texas; and Robert Walters (and spouse Jennifer) of Richardson, Texas.
Known as Peepap, in the family, Ted is also survived by 8 grandchildren: Kevin Cooper, Jr. and Rachel Cooper Johnson, Taylor and McClaine Walters, Jeremy and Kennedy McCormack, and Dalton and Jordan Walters; and one great-grand-daughter, Adrienne Cooper. Ted is also survived by three of his siblings, Shirley Taylor, Robert Walters, and Dolly Smith.
Teds life will be celebrated on Saturday, September 5th, at 10:00 a.m. at the Fourth Street United Methodist Church in Wheeling. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Teds favorite charities, Paralyzed Veterans of America or Easter Seals, are invited. Please post your remembrances of Ted on the Harrell Funeral Home website of Austin, Texas.