Willis Harvey "Wart" Walter, Jr. was born on September 2, 1928 to Lela Mae White and Willis Harvey Walter, Sr. (Curly) in Hachita, NM. He, along with his brother, Russell and sister, Betty, lived and worked on the ranch homesteaded by his father in Animas. After graduating from Animas High School, Wart stayed on the ranch to help his Dad. During this time, he met and married Sylvia Ann Springer, May 17,1952. He worked for George Godfrey at the XT and for Ace Robinson at the Cloverdale Ranch. In December of '52 he was drafted into the army, serving 2 years during the Korean War.
After returning home from the war, he worked for the Bar Y Ranch near Santa Rosa, NM and then back home at the ranch. Drought forced him to get a job with the Southern Pacific Pipeline and in '57, their first son, Randy, was born. Southern Pacific moved them to Tucson and this is when Bill and Warren came along. In 1965, Wart bought his father's cattle and leased the ranch. He made improvements and expanded by buying the Atkinson place just south of the homeplace. Over the years, they also leased many ranches for breeding stock and to relieve the ranch. Wart and Sylvia also bought two school buses from T.B. Strickland. Sylvia drove the bus for 38 years. Wart worked for Benny Snure, Brown & Root, Columbus Electric, K.W.Loomix and the SP Pipeline station at Road Forks, NM.
Wart has always had a way with horses and through the years has broke and trained many for different people. He rode horses for Benny Snure, Ed Hitson, Hugh Peterson, Ted Robb, Bill Cowan, Fred Darnell and Sherwood Culberson, to name a few. While living in Tucson, he owned a cutting horse name Zippo King and participated in cutting horse competitions winning several awards.
He was a member of the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Posse in the early 5O's, a past member of the Hidalgo County Fairboard where he supervised the Western Pleasure and Horse Showing competitions, a member of Farm Bureau and the NM Cattlegrowers Association. He was inducted into the Hidalgo County Hall of Fame in 2003.
Wart could often be found at the Panther Tracks Cafe enjoying a cup of coffee. He was known for entertaining the locals with his cowboy humor and wisdom.
Wart leaves behind his wife, Sylvia, and his sons, Randy (Duti), Bill (Beth) and Warren (Dolly). Grandchildren; Clay (Farrah) Walter, Darcy (Brandan) Bagwell, Corey (Serena) Walter, Alex (Kayla) Walter, Amanda Walter, Cassie Walter, Crystal Harrington (Robbie) and Chandale Ward and ten great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Russell.
Funeral services will be Saturday, December 13, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. at the Middle Animas Cemetery. All friends and family are welcome to the home after the services. Pall bearers are Clay Walter, Corey Walter, Alex Walter, Brandan Bagwell, Skip Wamel and Bill Darnell. Honorary bearers are all of his close friends and neighbors.