Walter Arthur Schmidt

“Well done, well done, my good and faithful one.
Welcome to the place where you belong.
Well done, well done, my beloved child.
You have run the race and now you’re home.
Welcome to the place where you belong. Well done.”

These words from the song “Well Done” by The Afters are definitely fitting for Walter Schmidt. Walter Arthur Schmidt, eldest of three boys born to second-generation German immigrants Reinhold T. and Esther L. Schmidt on September 4, 1935, ran the race for 84 years and went home to be with Jesus where he belonged on October 14, 2019.  Along with his parents, his two brothers, Richard and Norman, preceded him in death.

Walter was born in Chicago, IL, and spent the latter part of his growing-up years in Three Rivers, MI, where his family owned a feed mill.  He commendably served his country in the Navy for four years, but, most importantly, he faithfully and devotedly cared for Nancy Ann (Nuttall) Schmidt, his wife of 60 years, as well as their four children: Cindi Jean Shaver (wife of David Shaver) of Huntsville, AL; Terri Lynne Huggins (wife of Stephen Huggins) of Portland, OR; Brian Keith Schmidt (husband of Debbie) of Young Harris, GA; and Kyle David Schmidt, their special needs son who went before him to Heaven on July 27, 2015.

A man of few words, but one who possessed a keen sense of humor, Walter enjoyed tinkering around the house and caring for the lawn along with all of their vehicles. He was a faithful member of the churches in the various places where they resided and served in numerous capacities, including deacon and treasurer. In his leisure time, Walter enjoyed watching sports of all types and played on church and work softball teams in addition to fishing, shooting hoops, and running with his daughter Terri when she joined the cross country and track teams in college. He also was a good and beloved master to the variety of pets that shared their home throughout the years.

Walter will be fondly remembered by his 10 grandchildren and their families; and his current (10) and future great-grandchildren will be blessed with hearing stories about their great-grandpa who entered Heaven’s gates to hear his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, say the words, “Well done.”

The visitation will be Thursday at 10 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, Huntsville, AL. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday with a graveside service to follow at Calvary Gardens adjacent to the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Still Serving Veterans and Calvary Alliance Church of Hiawassee.

Hazel Green Funeral Home is honored to serve the family. 

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