Father William Walter, C.PP.S., of the United States Province of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, died on February 6, 2026, at Mercer Health in Coldwater, OH. He was 91 years old.

Father Bill was born in Rensselaer, IN on May 20, 1934, to the late Edward and Mildred (Borntrager) Walter. He entered formation with the Missionaries of the Precious Blood on September 6, 1948, at Brunnerdale Seminary in Canton, OH, and was Professed on August 15, 1955 at St. Mary's Novitiate in Burkettsville, OH.

He made Temporary Incorporation on September 7, 1957, at St. Charles Center in Carthagena and was Definitively Incorporated as a Missionary of the Precious Blood on August 15, 1958, also at St. Charles Seminary. Father Bill was ordained a Transitional Deacon on September 2, 1960, at Immaculate Conception Church in Celina, OH and ordained to the priesthood on June 10, 1961, at St. Charles Seminary, Carthagena, OH.

After spending the summer after ordination helping with sacramental ministry at three parishes in Oklahoma, Father Walter spent a year in pastoral formation at St. Anthony Parish in Detroit. In August 1962, he was assigned assistant pastor at St. Francis Xavier in St. Joseph, MO. He later moved to St. Andrew Parish in Tipton, MO, where he also served as a district vocation director. In August 1968, Father Bill moved to Precious Blood Seminary in Liberty, MO, where he served for several years as an instructor and later as assistant vocation director for the Kansas City Province.

Father Bill returned to parish ministry in 1974, first as associate pastor at St. Mary's Parish in Garden City, KS, and later as associate pastor at St. Anthony's Parish in Linton, ND. In 1977, Father Walter was assigned as director of formation for the Precious Blood students studying at St. John's Seminary in Collegeville, MN, and at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, IL. He lived at St. John's.

On July 15, 1980, Father Bill became pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Sedalia, MO and St. John's Parish in Bahner, MO where he served for nine years. In July 1989, he was named pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Warrensburg, MO. As pastor, Father Bill was known for his collaborative style of leadership. In a tribute to Father Bill on Facebook, Julie Connor who was the parish youth minister at the time, wrote, "The strongest collaborative leadership role model I've ever known was Father Bill Walter. I borrowed the leadership model Father Bill and the Sacred Heart Parish Council used in meetings to empower youth with leadership skills." Julie recalls once telling Father Bill, "You and this parish have ruined me forever. I know what healthy collaboration looks and feels like." She captures well what many who worked with Father Bill over the years feel in concluding her reflection. "Thank you, Father Bill, for all you taught me through your words and actions. I hope you know how many lives you've touched and changed," Julie writes. "If you didn't before, I know you do now."

While serving as pastor in Warrensburg, Father Walter was elected Vice-Provincial of the Kansas City Province in 1995. He was re-elected in 1999 and served until 2003. It was also in 1999, that Father Bill was named pastor of St. Mary's Parish in Albia. IA. Precious Blood Companion Sharon Crall who worked with Father Bill as pastoral associate said, "He was a humble servant who recognized and supported lay ministry."

In 2007, Father Walter returned to one of his first assignments as a priest to serve as senior priest in residence at St. Francis Xavier Parish in St. Joseph, MO. He retired in 2017 but remained at St. Francis Xavier helping with sacramental ministry and visiting the school. As one long-time parishioner of St. Francis noted, "Father Bill was a kind and gentle man, a true servant of the Lord." The children at St. Francis Xavier School especially enjoyed Father Bill's visits to their classrooms. Companion Nancy Clisbee said, "Father Bill was beloved, just the best, holy and so kind! He was so compassionate and always willing to help those in need."

In the spring of 2023, Father Walter moved to retirement at St. Charles Senior Living Center in Carthagena, OH. At St. Charles and throughout his life, Fr. Bill was known for his gentle, loving smile that would make everyone he met feel at home in his presence. He is survived by two sisters, Carol Hullings of Michigan City, IN and Phyllis Crone of Cincinnati, OH, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Frederick Walter.

Reception of Father Walter's body will be Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 10:30 AM at St. Charles Center (2860 US Route 127, Celina, OH 45822) with a prayer service.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated later that day at 2:00 PM. Father Al Ebach, C.PP.S., will preside with Father Ron Will, C.PP.S., homilist. Burial will follow in the Community cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, United States Province.

May he rest in God's gracious peace.