Ward & Barb Walter

Some people search their whole lives for the right road, the right path, and the right person to share their life with. Ward and Barb Walter always knew the right road, and guided by the grace of God, they found each other along the way. Theirs was the rarest of marriages, when two special people bond with an extraordinary love, the perfect complement to one another. Their uncommon love, unequaled example and unending faith live on in everyone who knew them today.

The Walters' stories began two years and just over sixty miles apart, during a time of such turmoil in this great nation. Ward was born on April 13, 1941, in Millington, Michigan, the youngest child of Neil and Mary (Bowns) Walter, while Barb gave her parents, Winfield and Lora (Turner) Hubbell, reason to celebrate on February 19, 1943, in those otherwise war-torn times.

Ward and Barb came from strikingly similar backgrounds, both from loving, supportive parents who instilled such great morals, character and faith in their children. They came from similar towns, both small farming communities, and attended very similar high schools.

It was during their high school careers that God intervened in their lives, guiding them to the incredibly chance encounter that was the basis for their lifelong love affair. Each of their high schools sent students on a youth trip to Washington D.C., where Ward met Barb for the first time. They were quite taken with each other, and kept in contact when they returned to their hometowns. They became good friends, and casually dated, as well.

They continued dating even as Ward went off to study pharmacy at Ferris State, and Barb headed to the University of Michigan as a music major two years later. When Ward went off to the University of Iowa to earn his master's degree, Barb joined him and transferred there. They also began their life together as husband and wife, with their wedding on August 18, 1963.

In 1964, while they were still in school, they celebrated the birth of their first child, a beautiful baby girl they named Bonnie. Times were tough and money was tight, but they persevered through their love for each other and their faith in God.

When they graduated in 1965, they returned to Michigan, living in Plainwell, where they bought Campbell Pharmacy. Ward ran the pharmacy, and moonlighted at Pipp Hospital for extra income, while Barb taught school. Soon, however, Barb's attention would be needed elsewhere. The couple was soon doubly blessed with the birth of twin boys, sons Brad and Brent, so Barb stayed at home to raise their three children.

Together the Walters were a tight-knit, happy family, and Ward and Barb raised their children to have lots of love, common sense, discipline, generous spirits and limitless faith - just as they did. Naturally, Ward and Barb saw eye-to-eye on the important issues, making their marriage that much stronger. They truly loved and supported each other in all their endeavors. When Ward, a man of adventure who always had an interest in flying, wanted to get his pilot's license, Barb supported him, and the two celebrated when he earned his wings in 1968.

Then in 1977, after watching the U.S. government pass stringent regulations on the hazardous waste industry, Ward with Barb's help founded Drug and Laboratory Disposal, specializing in removal of hazardous waste and chemicals. With his background in chemistry, it was a perfect fit for Ward, and his company grew by leaps and bounds, eventually becoming a full-time job. Barb took over management of their pharmacy, and under her leadership that business bloomed, as well. Eventually, with the disposal company more than holding its own, the couple sold their pharmacy in 1986.

As successful as the couple certainly was, they were careful to never put their professional lives ahead of their personal lives, and were completely committed to each other, their children, and to doing the Lord's work. They traveled often outside the country, as they wanted to show their children there was more to the world than Plainwell. Wherever they went, they made a point to do missionary work, helping those in need and spreading the Word. In 1983, yearning for another child, they adopted a young girl from Columbia, a beautiful daughter named Bella. They always had such gracious, giving hearts, and felt God was calling them to share their love with others. Bella was embraced by the family.

Barb and Ward always invested in people. They felt it was God's call to give from what God had given to them. They were truly Christ-centered people, and rejoiced in God's grace daily. They read and studied the Bible daily, as well, and loved to discuss the passages with each other.

As alike as Barb and Ward were, their differences complemented each other well. Ward was an adventurous spirit, never afraid to blaze his own trail, and a born leader with great integrity. Barb was a gentle woman of limitless patience, generosity and natural grace, and was a strong, supportive wife and mother.

Together Barb and Ward enjoyed an amazing life, and graciously shared with everyone around them. They owned a vacation home in the Bahamas, where they were headed when their plane tragically crashed in Florida. There is no doubt in anyone's mind that they instantly joined Christ in Heaven, where they were told, "Well done, good and faithful servants."

Ward and Barb Walter were two incredibly special people, who touched so many lives through their generosity, their faith, and their love. They were a couple God blessed with so much in their lives. We were so blessed to have known them. They will be greatly missed.

Ward and Barbara Walter died near St. Augustine Florida on August 25, 2006 in an airplane crash. Learn more about Ward and Barb, view their Life Story film, and visit with their family and friends Thursday from 11-2 pm at the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG, Plainwell, 120 South Woodhams. Funeral Services to celebrate their life and their faith will be at 6 pm on Thursday at the Richland Bible Church.

Members of their family include their children Bonnie and her husband Don Wallace of Plainwell, Brent of Plainwell, Brad and his wife Jackie of Thomasville, Georgia, and Bella Walter of Kalamazoo. Other members of their family include Barb's parents: Winfield and Rosella Hubbell of Ionia, Barb's brother William Hubbell of Lansing, Ward's mother, Mary Walter of Kalamazoo, Ward's siblings: sister Kelly and her husband John Grace of Oshtemo, brother Merritt Walter of Virginia, and sister- in-law Bonnie Walter of Florida.

Please visit their memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can read their Life Story, archive a favorite memory or photo, or make a memorial donation to the Walter Family Charitable Fund, a fund for evangelical outreach ministries.