Barry Lloyd Walters

Barry Lloyd Walters, 79, of Redfield went to be with the Lord on October 3, 2022. He was born on October 5, 1942, in Pine Bluff to Johnie E. Walters Sr. and Lennie Leola Dearmore Walters. Barry was a resident of Redfield and White Hall and attended school at Redfield and White Hall High School. He was employed by White Hall school district as the head bus mechanic from 1969 to 2004. He received the Outstanding District Employee for the 1980-1981 school year by the White Hall School Board.

Born with a natural gift for mechanics Mr. Walters worked in his father's auto repair shop from his early teens, He became a mechanic for Smart Chevrolet Company in Pine Bluff at the age of 18. He was also a truck driver and a pipe fitter while continuing to work as a mechanic with his father.

His first five years at White Hall, Mr. Walters drove a bus twice a day while managing to keep nine buses roadworthy along with other district vehicles and lawnmowers with no helper. Many people in their late 50s and early 60s have said they rode Mr. Barry's bus. For the first 14 years he maintained the buses out of a 20' X 36' building with no fancy equipment whatsoever; just his handy tools.

By 1983, Mr. Walters and his helper were maintaining 26 buses along with the school district's vans, trucks and lawnmowers in the new 115' X 60' bus maintenance facility in which he was instrumental in designing. He was especially proud of the indoor washing facilities and a lift system that raised an entire bus 6 feet off the floor.

Mr. Walters attended training every year learning about the latest in bus maintenance where he received several accommodations.

Mr. Walters liked spending his time away from the buses tinkering on motors, restoring and rebuilding antique vehicles, squirrel hunting and bass fishing. One of his ambitions was to catch a bass big enough so that he could tell about it and keep a straight face. He accomplished that goal.

Mr. Walters could be seen driving around Redfield and White Hall with his furry friend Dubie in his red 1988 Chevy Pickup that he restored.

Mr. Walters was a member of Redfield Missionary Baptist Church.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Teresa "Tess" Walters Scroggins; his sisters, Doris Overton, Jean Walker, Mamie Wootton, and Charline Henry; and a brother Johnie E. Walters, Jr.

Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years, Rita Coker Walters; a daughter Cynthia "Cindy" Walters Church of Redfield, Arkansas; a grandson Joseph "Joey" Scroggins (Marlo) of Buda, Texas; two great-granddaughters, Tessa and Ruslyn Scroggins; one sister, Gwendolyn Liles of Redfield, Arkansas; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; and his special furry friend, Dubie.

Mr. Walters is interred at Redfield Cemetary.