Ralph Shawn Walthall

WALTHALL, RALPH SHAWN 58, of Anchorage, KY, died October 18, 2012 from complications of pneumonia in Norton Suburban Hospital, Louisville, KY.

Ralph Walthall was born August 27, 1954 in Topeka, KS, to Julius Byron Walthall, Sr. and Danny Kate Walthall. His childhood was spent in Charlotte, NC. In high school, he was captain of the North Carolina state-championship soccer team.

Following in his father's footsteps, Ralph graduated the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BS in Accounting and a CPA. He played Division 1 varsity soccer for UNC and was named an Academic All American. Ralph was a loyal member and alumni of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. While at UNC he met his future wife, Ann Ritter of Jackson, MS.

Mr. Walthall's work life progressed rapidly, beginning as a Bank Examiner for the US Treasury, then as an accountant and manager for Peat Marwick Mitchell and subsequently as a Vice President of Citizens Fidelity Bank for mergers and acquisitions, continuing in various roles with PNC Bank. He completed his financial career with Sheshunoff Management Services as Director of their strategic planning practice.

Ralph was a Christian man with a thoughtful, inclusive faith. He was a cherished leader and friend to members of Anchorage Presbyterian Church in Anchorage, KY, where he served as an Elder of the Session. He considered his purpose in life to demonstrate that one can thrive with cancer. He was able to do this over 23 years of living fully despite numerous occurrences of three types of cancer. During that time Ralph endured multiple treatments with radiation, chemotherapy, surgeries and even a bone marrow transplant. After each of these he was able to come back with strength and enthusiasm.

Ever an athlete, Ralph became a masters swimmer at Lakeside swim club after his bone marrow transplant. He was an avid outdoorsman and lifelong fisherman, hiker and camper. His meticulous attention to detail and poetic nature gave him a strong interest and ability in fly fishing, a sport which took him to many exotic and wild areas of the western hemisphere. He tied his own flies and made his own finely crafted, delicate fly fishing rods true works of art. Ralph also used his faith, his experience with cancer, his love for helping people and his fly fishing as a volunteer for Reel Recovery, teaching other men with cancer to fly fish. Throughout his life, Ralph became a true and dedicated friend to a wide circle of loving people. It is impossible to overstate the strength, love and charity both given and received by Ralph among these friends and relatives.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 35 years, Ann, the source of his greatest joy and support in sickness and in health and the love of his life; his beloved children, daughter, Jackie Walthall, age 18 and son, Shawn Walthall, age 16 of Anchorage, KY; his parents, Julius and Danny Walthall of Charlotte, NC; his brother, Dr. Byron Walthall (Dr. Nancy Teaff) of Charlotte; nieces, Julia Walthall of Silver Spring, MD, and Mary Cait Walthall of Chicago, IL; parents-in-law, Jack and Judy Ritter of Jackson, MS; brother-in-law, Jack Ritter Jr. (Linda) and nephew, Kyle Ritter of Louisville, KY; brother-in-law, George Ritter (Betsy) nephew, Andrew Ritter of Jackson, MS, and niece, Sara Love Crawford of Miami, FL; and far too many dedicated friends to list here. We are all sure he is reveling in the company of his dog and companion, Chance Walthall (2000-2012).

A celebration of Ralph Walthall's life will be held at Anchorage Presbyterian Church, 11403 Park Road, at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 22, 2012. Visitation will be at Pearson's, 149 Breckenridge Lane, from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, October 21, 2012.

Expressions of sympathy to Reel Recovery, Bellewood Homes for Children, Anchorage Presbyterian Church or UNC chapter Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity.