Cheshier, Walter Lee (Age 63) of Fort Washington, Maryland.

Obituary

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, mentor and friend. Walter Lee Cheshier was called home on Saturday July 26, 2014 following a battle with cancer.

Walter was born on October 30, 1950 to Odie and the late Rance Cheshier in Toone, TN. He is one of seven children. Walter attended the public school system and graduated from Bolivar Industrial High School. He was the Valedictorian of his class. He confessed belief in Jesus Christ at an early age and was baptized and united with the Hillfield Missionary Baptist Church in Toone, TN.

He worked for 9 years with the FBI beginning in 1968. While working for the FBI, Walter was drafted into the army where he continued his education, and served a full military tour in South Vietnam. He received the Army Commendation Medal and numerous Vietnam Service Medals as well as an Honorable Discharge from the military. Walter was reinstated with the FBI as a Tele-communications supervisor, and served the remainder of his tour there, while also serving as a Staff Sergeant with the D.C. Armory National Guard Reserve Infantry Unit. He met and later married his wife, Wanda, who also worked for the FBI in 1976, and to this union 2 children were born.

Walter joined the Prince George's County Police Department in March 1977. He strived for excellence in everything he did and was a true professional. He immediately began to receive numerous awards and letters of commendation for his service to the community. Among those awards included a Gold Medal of Valor in 1981 for saving the life of an unconscious motorist by pulling him from a burning vehicle. Numerous other letters of commendation were received throughout the years as Walter worked as a Field Training Officer, a Youth Services Investigator, a District investigator, a Community Oriented Police Officer, a Workforce Equity Mediator, a District 4 Law Enforcement Explorer Supervisor (post #1004), Assistant Police Liaison Officer, and Bureau of Patrol Supervisor. Walter received the Chief's Award for being the first to organize the District 4 Law Enforcement Explorer's Program, chartered in 1991. Walter retired from the Prince George's County Police Department in December 2001 where he completed 25 years of dedicated service which culminates a total of 34 years of service in law enforcement.

Walter most certainly enjoyed life!!! He had a passion for landscaping and was always out in the yard on a sunny day. He had an artistic skill for wood working as can be seen throughout his home. He was like a father to all the neighborhood kids and to this day many still call him "Pops." He loved to travel with his family and friends, dance, sing, play volley ball, laugh, have cook outs in the back yard, play pool and eat!!! He will truly be missed in body, but his spirit will live on.

He leaves to cherish his memories his devoted wife of 37 years, Wanda; his children, Eric (Sabrina) and Katrina; his mother, Odie Lee; his siblings, Oscar Ford (Addrene), Charles, Jerry (Ruth), Ollie Faye (Melvin) Bass, Melvin (Steffanie), and Randall (Jamie); his grandchildren, Eric Jr. "EJ" and Talasia "Muffin;" one sister-in-law, Flora Duckett; 5 brothers-in-law, Roy, James, Augusta, Willie, and Bennie Duckett; two aunts, Hattie Hudson and Mary Ann Love; one uncle, Joseph Hudson; special friends, Charles and Denise Montgomery; an honorary son, Darryl Simms Jr.; 2 "grand-dogs," J.R. and Eva; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

Viewing, 9 a.m. until time of service, 11 a.m., Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at Ebenezer A.M.E Church, 7806 Allentown Road, Fort Washington, Maryland 20744. Interment, Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, Maryland.

Arrangements entrusted to Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland.