Jack S. Walters

Jack S. Walters, 97, of Royersford, PA, passed away on Friday, January 13, 2023, at home following a brief illness. Born on April 25, 1925, in Tyrone, PA, he was the son of the late Harvey and Mary (McNeal) Walters. Jack was a graduate of North Coventry High School, Class of 1943. Immediately following graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy as a Torpedoman to serve his country in WWII from February 18, 1943 to February 15, 1946, when he was Honorably Discharged earning the European Theater Ribbon, Pacific Theater Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, and the Victory Medal. Jack was assigned to serve on the DE USS Micka, which guarded merchantmen and naval supply vessels plying the waters of the eastern Atlantic from Recife, Brazil to New York City until November 1944. She then reported at Recife for three months of mid-ocean anti-submarine patrols with the US 4th Fleet. Detached in March 1945, she served briefly with the Eastern Sea Frontier on anti-submarine patrol and then completed a round trip voyage to Oran, Algeria as a convoy escort before making her way to Pearl Harbor conducting local exercises until December 18, 1945, when she headed back to Boston, MA with over 300 naval passengers. During his time in the Navy, Jack saw plenty of combat action from dropping depth charges and firing torpedos at German U-boats to manning the anti-aircraft guns aboard the ship against Japanese fighter planes and nearly losing his life, he dug out and saved the bullet fired from one of the Japanese fighter planes that missed his head by only two inches. Upon returning home from the war, Jack married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life Arlene (Biehl) Walters in 1946 and they remained inseparable for 73 years of marriage until her death in 2019. He also had a daughter, Marlene (Biehl) Hunsicker precede him in death. Jack was employed at the Pennhurst State School & Hospital for 32 years from 1954-1986. He started as a Stationary Fireman in the Power Plant and ended up as the Utilities Supervisor in charge of the Power Plant, Sewage Plant, 8 Wells, Reservoir, High Standing Water Tank, and Steam Distribution System. Jack was also very active in the local community. He was a member of the Grange for 78 years, recently with Sanatoga but was the past Master of the North Coventry Grange. He was also the past President of the Phoenixville Kiwanis Club, Retired Public Employees of Pennsylvania, Pennsco Federal Credit Union (Pennhurst), and Golden Agers at St. John's Church in Boyertown. Jack was also a lifetime member of the Friendship (Royersford), Liberty (Spring City), and West End (Stowe) Fire Departments. Jack was an avid bowler throughout his life, bowling with his wife in several senior leagues. He started at The Arrow in Pottstown but also frequented Phoenix Lanes in Phoenixville, and Jay Lanes/Limerick Lanes in Limerick. Jack also competed in state competitions in Reading, York, and Lewisburg, PA as well as national competitions in Las Vegas, NV. Jack is survived by one daughter, Jacqueline S., wife of Joseph Kivlin Sr of Schwenksville, PA; five grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral ceremony at the Cattermole - Klotzbach Funeral Home, 600 Washington Street, Royersford, PA on Friday, January 20, 2023, at 11:00 am. Officiating will be Rev. Donald B. Eisenhauer. Burial will follow in the Mt. Zion Cemetery, Pottstown, PA. Friends will be received in the funeral home on Friday morning from 10:00 am - 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the USO, PO Box 96860 Washington, DC 20077-7677. Condolences may be offered online by visiting www.RoyersfordFuneralHome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Cattermole-Klotzbach Funeral Home, Royersford, PA.