James N. "Jim" Walters

James N. "Jim" Walters, 84, died Friday, Feb. 4, 2011 at his home in Bentonville. James was born Feb. 25, 1926 in Kansas City, Mo. to the late O. Neal and Martha Ellen (Watters) Walters. James moved to Bentonville in 1964 with his company, Neal Walters Poster and General Business Forms, Inc, for which he was president. He was an active member of Rotary International and the Mason's for 64 years, President of the Chamber of Commerce in 1966-1967, a recipient of the Chamber Outstanding Achievement Award in 1978, a founding member of the NWACC Foundation and a member of the Benton County Fair Board since 1964. He was Chairman of Ozark Guidance and a board member for 5 years and a recipient of the R. E. "Ed" Buck Leadership Award in 1982. James was appointed to the State Alcoholic Beverage Control Board in 1974 by then Gov. Dale Bumpers and was re-appointed by subsequent Governors for 23 1/2 years. In 1986, James was made Knight of St. Gregory by Pope John Paul II for outstanding community, church, and political service, the highest award for a catholic layman. James was also the countycampaign manager for Dale Bumpers for US Senate, David Pryor for US Senate, and Gov. Bill Clinton. Visitation for James will be Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011 from 5-7 p.m. with a rosary to follow at 7 p.m. at Callison Lough Funeral Home in Bentonville. A Mass o fChristian Burial will be 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 7, 2011 at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Bentonville with a private burial at a later time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in James' name to St. Stephens Catholic Church or NWACC Disability Resources. Online condolences can be made at www.callisonlough.com.