Walter James Prince

Walter James Prince, age 71, of Castle Rock, Washington, passed away on Sunday, October 22, 2006. He was born on July 19, 1935 in Monroe, MI to Joe and Thelma Waters Prince. He graduated from Monroe High School in 1953, and enlisted in the Army that November. He served three tours of duty in the Vietnam War with the rank of Sergeant First Class and retired after 20 years of service. He moved to Clatskanie, OR in 1980 and worked for Taylor Drilling Company. He met and married his wife of 21 years Janet Davis Prince in 1985, they moved to Castle Rock, WA in 1986. He was a very active member of First Baptist Church of Castle Rock. He retired from Taylor Drilling Company in 1993 due to illness. He survived cancer for almost 13 years and spent his life devoted to his children and grandchildren. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and his ability to find humor through the toughest situations. He was preceded in death by both parents, Joe and Thelma Prince; sisters: Geneva McEntire and Nellie Dale; brothers: Raleigh Prince, Joseph Prince and Charles Prince; half sisters: Virginia Davis and Christina Milton; half brothers: Clarence Prince and Earnest Prince; the mother of his two daughters, Vickie and Thelma, Barcia Lankford Prince. Walt is survived by his wife, Janet Davis Prince of Castle Rock, WA; daughters: Vickie Mason of Cleveland, Thelma Phillips of Roundlake Beach, IL and Debbie Harden of Castle Rock, WA; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sisters: Ruth Hamblin and Ruby Hall both of Cleveland; several nieces and nephews also survive; a special friend and brother-in-law, Harvey Dale. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Reverend Frank Nolan officiating. Interment will follow in New Friendship Cemetery with military honors. His family will receive friends from 5-9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Community Home Health and Hospice, PO Box 2067, Longview, WA 98632.