Daniel "Walter" Stringer

Daniel Walter Stringer, age 86, passed away in Overton Brooks Veterans Medical Center, Shreveport, Louisiana on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
Walter proudly served his country first in the National Guard then he enlisted in the United States Army after serving National Guard and served another enlistment term. He completed high school and received his GED while serving in the United States Army then pursued higher education and received a degree in Engineering. While in the United States Army, Walter trained to become an Under Water Demolitionist. With that skill and training, he earned a Critical MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) and was held in the Army Reserves until 1977. Walter was Honorably Discharged from both the National Guard and the United States Army.
Most of his enlistment time in the United States Army he served in Germany. Because of his Critical MOS, he was called back to active duty twice after he had met the responsibilities of his enlistment term. Each time Walter was called was the result of continuing unrest in Berlin, Germany. His final active duty assignment included hand to hand combat brought about when the Berlin Crisis, a Cold War conflict between the Soviet Union and the United States broke out. He was in several skirmishes as well as hand-to-hand combat during that time.
After his final enlistment term was completed, Walter returned to Jonesboro, Louisiana and was employed by the paper mill in Hodge from May 19, 1961, until his retirement on August 1, 2001. He was first employed in the Bag Mill then transferred to Maintenance Department where he worked until he became President of Local 13-1505.
Walter married the love of his life, Flora Newsom-Stringer on February 5, 1966. They were wed 59 happy years.
In 1988-2001, Walter was honored to serve as President of Local 13-1505 at the Hodge paper mill. In addition to supporting his Local Union employees, Walter lobbied the Congress all over the United States trying to save jobs for employees at the Hodge plant, as well as saving jobs at paper mills all over these United States. Walter and Gerry Mims were privileged to lobby face-to-face President Bill Clinton's Chief of Staff numerous times while attending to Union business in Washington, D. C.
Throughout his tenure as President of Hodge Local 13-1505 and beyond from 1983-1993 Walter served as Treasurer of the Work Force Development Board. The Work Force Development Board was created to assist in providing education to workers all over the United States and assisting in job placements for many who were either under employed or unemployed all together.
Walter was also a 32nd Degree Mason Jonesboro Lodge 280.
Before Walter's vision failed, he enjoyed drawing his own blue print plans for his wood working projects. He was very creative and loved wood working. Walter drew his own blue prints and made 15 or more wall hanging clocks. Even intricate parts such as hinges he made wooden pegs by hand to function inside hinges without using any nails or screws in the clocks. Each tiny part he made by hand from his own hand drawn blue prints. Walter also made one grandfather clock that stands almost 80 inches tall.
Walter's hand-crafted items didn't end with clock making; he also made his own belt buckles and several other unique items. He also enjoyed repairing and restoring guns especially making the wood come alive with the special oils and his own polishing techniques he used restoring the wood parts on guns, as well as, his way of restoring all metal parts to showroom condition.
Walter is survived by his wife, Flora Newsom-Stringer, one daughter, Melinda Stringer; three nephews, Bill Stringer, Jr., (Melissa), Steve Stringer, (Deanna), Brian Keith Taylor, (Michelle), one niece, Cheryl Ann Stringer and several great nieces and nephews. Walter is preceded in death by his parents, Gwin A. Stringer and Marie Pierce Stringer, his brother, Billy Ray Stringer and sister-in-law, Gloria Ann Duck Stringer, a nephew, Ronald Glen Taylor.
Friends may visit with his family on Saturday, July 12, 2025 in the chapel of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home from 9:30 AM until time of service. Funeral services are set to begin at 11:00 AM with Bro. Joey Anderson and Bro. Robert Tyler officiating. Burial will follow in Sikes Cemetery under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.
Serving the family as pallbearers will be Joey Stringer, Sonny Nomey, Robert Tyler, Gerry Mims, LaVerl Shell, and Justin Shell. Honorary pallbearers are Terry Council, Lynn Nugent, Steve Shovan, and Steve Stringer.