Jesse Page Walt, Sr.

Jesse Page Walt, Sr., age 93, of Altheimer passed away Saturday, December 19, 2020. Born April 20, 1927, in Little Rock, he was a son of the late James Riggs Walt, Jr. and Myrtle Mathews Walt. He spent his early years of education in Altheimer before transferring to and graduating from Sewanee Military Academy at Sewanee, Tenn. Mr. Walt was a World War II veteran, enlisting in the United States Navy near the end of the war. Following boot camp in San Diego, he served on the destroyer escort U.S.S. Courier for six months and then was transferred to the submarine tender U.S.S. Sperry. He was honorably discharged from his service in 1947 and went on to continue his education at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He graduated 27 months later with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in the summer of 1949. A member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, he exemplified all of the qualities of The True Gentleman. His name can be found on the front lawn of Old Main in the "Class of 1950" senior walk. Mr. Walt returned home to join the family farming operation, which was established in 1901. He served in the Arkansas State Legislature from 1955 until 1967. From 1975 to 2009, he served as president of the First National Bank of Altheimer. He also served as chairman of the board of Planters Gin Company of Altheimer for the past 59 years. Mr. Walt was a past president of the Altheimer Lions Club; member of the Altheimer School Board; and an 18-year member of the board of directors as well as the past chairman of the Stuttgart Grain Dryers Association. He was also a past chairman of the Jefferson Regional Medical Center Board and a board member of the AHEC program at JRMC. He was a lifelong member of the Altheimer United Methodist Church, where he served in many capacities, currently serving as chairman of the Board of Trustees. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Dr. James Riggs Walt, III, and Jean Walt Stallings. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Katy Jo Bachelor Walt; his children: Annalisa Walt Warinner, Georgiana Walt Dykes (Daryl), Jesse Page Walt, Jr. (Elizabeth), and James Chase Walt (Alice); nine grandchildren: Jesse Page Walt, III (Holly), Ryland Walt Steele (Ryan), Annakate Warinner, Adelaide Warinner, Eliza Walt, Sawyer Warinner, Grace Dykes, Sarah Chase Walt, and Audrey Dykes; and a great-grandson, Jesse Page Walt, IV. The family would like to thank Chandala Moore, Debra Jones and Margaret McPhearson for their loving and compassionate care, as well as Dr. Chris Morgan and the caring staff at Baptist Stuttgart. There will be a private memorial service at the Altheimer United Methodist Church on December 29th. Honorary Pallbearers are F. H. Lyons, Jr., Ronnie Jeter, Matt Jeter, Clay Jeter, Randy Massanelli, Miles Goggans, Bill Pearcy, and Harry Ryburn. Family and friends are welcome to attend the graveside service that day at Flat Bayou Cemetery at 2 p.m., (From Hwy. 79, turn north on Blackwell Rd. for 3.5 miles). Rev. Fred Arnold and Rev. Lance Hickerson will officiate. Covid-19 precautions will be mandated at all times. Memorials may be made to the Altheimer United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 759, Altheimer, Ark., 72004, or Flat Bayou Cemetery, c/o Adele Taylor, 9201 Hwy. 79, Sherrill, Ark., 72152.