Obituary for
Waldo Walker Powell
Waldo Walker Powell left this Earth to go Home on Sunday, June 4, 2017. Dearest Walker was born August 1, 1917, in Reeds Spring, Missouri to Ralph Waldo Emerson Powell and Laura Annette (Walker) Powell. He was the brother of Hazel Powell, Pansy (Powell) Albers, Marjorie (Powell) Pfitzner and Merida Powell.
For almost 100 years Walker lived a full and interesting life, colored with endless stories about living in the Ozark Mountains. His deep, abiding love of God and country was obvious to anyone who knew him. He graduated from Reeds Spring High School, served in the United States Army in World War II and later continued his service to the people and the community as a member of the Sheriff’s Mounted Posse of Stone County from 1964 until 1984. He loved nature and was a true outdoorsman. He was known to have a coyote as a pet when he was a young man. He did his part to preserve the wildlife and its habitat by serving as a member of the Missouri Department of Conservation. He worked at and eventually managed Fairy Cave, founded by the Powell family (which is now Talking Rocks Cavern). He also worked at Silver Dollar City in various roles, and came to be a well-known Master Craftsman working the wood lathe at Silver Dollar City. He thoroughly enjoyed making baseball bats for children visiting Silver Dollar City, and talking and joking with his “audience” as they watched him craft his wood products on the lathe. Walker had a strong love for nature, fishing, hunting, bluegrass and gospel music, fried chicken, chocolate and his friends and family. He touched many lives with his character, integrity, faith, sense of humor, and stories of the “old days”.
Walker was a preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his granddaughter, Shelley Janell Powell, his two great-grandsons, Alexandar Joseph Powell-Niemeier and Benjamin Thomas Walker Powell-Niemeier and many dear extended family and friends.
A Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 15, 4pm-7pm at First Christian Church, 5 Hilltop Drive, Kimberling City, MO with memorial services on Friday, June 16 at 10am. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the Keystone Baptist Church, P.O. Box 430, Reeds Spring, Missouri, 65737. Online condolences may be made at www.klingnerfuneralhome.com
