Mark Steven Walters

Mark Steven Walters was born in Decatur, Illinois on December 5, 1951 to Byron R. “Barney” Walters and Phyllis Ann Stuckey Walters. He was raised in Forsyth, Illinois where he attended Forsyth Grade School and graduated from Maroa-Forsyth High School in 1970. He attended Illinois State University and Millikin University, and then joined the Army in 1972. He remained in the Army as a recruiter for seven years. He married Patricia “Tish” Schneider on January 14, 1972, and she preceded him in death in 2012. Mark was an excellent athlete. In high school he got a varsity letter in three sports all four years! Football, basketball, and baseball. He enjoyed music and played clarinet in the band and sang bass in the Boys’ Ensemble. He also led some worship music later in life in churches. Mark left the Army in 1979 and moved his family back to Forsyth where he sold insurance. Later they moved to Oklahoma, then to Texas where he finished his education with a Bachelor’s Degree in religious education and a Master’s Degree in counselling and psychology from Hardin-Simmons University. After graduation Mark became a therapist for the Texas Prison System and various probation offices in Texas, including the cities of Abilene, Anson, and San Angelo. He retired from the Taylor County Probation office in 2012 but continued to work as an independent contractor until his health began to decline in 2017. Mark loved his work and helping others learn to make better choices. Mark moved to Weatherford, Texas where he met, found love again and married Pamela Brittain. They spent 11 years together and loved traveling and experiencing new adventures. Mark enjoyed camping and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, and more recently, his great-grandchildren. He had a great sense of humor and all the kids loved him! Mark was a member of North Side Baptist Church during his time in Weatherford. He enjoyed his church and Sunday School class, watching sports, and interacting with friends on Facebook. Over the years, Mark fought through several kinds of cancer and even more surgeries, including a recent kidney transplant. He passed away at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth on Thursday, January 18, 2024. Mark was preceded in death by an infant brother, Scott, in 1958; his wife, Tish, in 2012; and his mother, Phyllis, in 2013. He is survived by his wife, Pamela of Weatherford; his father, Byron “Barney” Walters of Weatherford; brother, Terry Walters and wife, Cheryl, of Pana, Illinois; sister, Cinda Walters Walker of Weatherford; brother, Craig Walters and wife, Lori, of Wichita, Kansas. He is also survived by his son, Todd Walters and wife, Tanya of Merkel; and step-children, Kristen McCreight of Granbury, Melissa Madey of Weatherford, Thomas Brittain of Fort Worth, and Blake Brittain of Jacksboro. Mark had three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and eight step-grandchildren whom he loved as his own. Memorial Service: 10 a.m. Saturday, January 27, 2024 at North Side Baptist Church, Weatherford. In lieu of flowers, the family would encourage donating in his memory to American Cancer Society or Shriner’s Hospitals.