Walter Curll Cassel, Jr.

His legacy of faith established and his time on earth done, Walter Curll Cassel answered God’s call to come Home Tuesday morning, December 26, 2023. It was a little more than a day after his prayer to spend one more Christmas with his family was answered.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM, Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at Cascade Hills Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. A private interment will be held at Parkhill Cemetery with Military Honors according to McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907.

Walter was born on November 28, 1932 in Baltimore, MD. Since his mother tragically died during childbirth and his father was in active military service, he was taken to Pennsylvania where he spent most his childhood living with an aunt and then later in a boys home. At the age of 12, Walter was reunited with his father and new stepmom.

Throughout his 91 years of a life well-lived, Walter was a man of quiet strength who was always willing to answer the call.

First, Walter answered the call to serve his country. While still in his teens, he joined the Army. There, his military service included tours of duty in Korea and Vietnam. Always a man of action rather than words, Walter never talked much about his numerous medals and commendations, including the Purple Heart he received for being wounded in action by an enemy mortar shell during the Korean War.

It was when Walter was home from Korea recovering from his injuries that he answered the call of his heart, Thelma Swanson. Even though they only knew each other for two weeks before they married, she would be the woman he loved and cherished for the next 71 years. Army life would take them to Alaska, California, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and ultimately Fort Benning, Georgia. Along the way they would start and grow a close knit family with four daughters.

The most important call Walter would answer came early in his marriage to Thelma. It was God’s call to salvation. Walter’s life-changing decision to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior would lay the foundation for a legacy of faith for following generations that continues to this day.

When he retired as a Sergeant E6 after 20 years of service in the military, Walter was ready to answer the call for a new kind of service, as a Sears appliance repairman. He found himself answering calls every workday for the next 20 years. It was a job he enjoyed, because his calling was to help people.

Walter and Thelma continued their shared desire to serve their Savior after Walter’s retirement from Sears. From dressing up as clowns for patients at the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation to packing and delivering snacks for people in local hospital waiting rooms to serving in multiple ministries and volunteer opportunities at Cascade Hills Church, Walter and Thelma always enjoyed spending their time helping others. And when they weren’t volunteering, they were taking a cruise somewhere with family or friends.

Whatever they were doing while living out their retirement years together, Walter and Thelma were always side by side. And, it was that way until Walter’s very last breath.

Waiting for a glorious reunion with their faithful and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather are his wife, Thelma Cassel, daughters, Sherry Hubbard (Wayne), Beverly McQuien (Cyde), Dolores Quirk (Charlie), and Rhonda Patchin (Chris), 9 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren.

Walter Cassel lived a wonderful life of devotion to his faith, love for his family, and service to others. Every tear shed at the news of his passing is definitely well-earned.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Cascade Hills Church, Whatever it takes fund at 727 54th St, Columbus, GA 31904 or www.cascadehills.com