Walters, Willard J. 'Curley'

Willard J. “Curley” Walters, 86, of Iowa City, died unexpectedly Tuesday, March 27, 2012, at Mercy Iowa City. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, March 31, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Iowa City with a time of visitation Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Burial, with military honors, will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Willard was born Jan. 24, 1926, in rural Iowa County, the son of Fred and Nora (Wiebold) Walters. He attended country school in Iowa County and went onto join the United States Navy, where he served during World War II. On June 19, 1959, he married Ruth Coulson at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Iowa City.

Willard worked several years at Amana Refrigeration but returned to Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric, where he worked for over 30 years, retiring as a welder crew leader in the gas department in 1988.

“Curley” was a longtime member of Our Redeemer, where he served as a past trustee and could be found greeting and ushering on a regular basis. He was also a member of the Iowa City American Legion, Riverside VFW and the Eagles. “Curley” enjoyed time spent fishing and hunting, watching the Cubs and cheering for the Hawkeyes.

He will be missed by his loving family which includes his wife of 52 years, Ruth; children, Jerri Bruns (Delwin) of East Peoria, Ill., Rick Walters (Beverly Williams) of Iowa City, Michael Walters (Barbara) of Iowa City, Larry and Beverly Nelson of Coralville and Theodore Nelson (Donna) of Cedar Falls; brothers, Melvin Walters of Tiffin and Lawrence “Whitey” Walters of Iowa City; 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

“Curley” was preceded in death by his daughter, Virginia Bates; son-in-law, William Bates; parents; and two sisters, Velma Walters and Dorthea Gonterman.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City is caring for “Curley's” family and his services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church to help with cross maintenance.

Online condolences may be sent to Willard's family through the Web at www.gayandciha.com.

Published March 29, 2012 in The Gazette