Walter Sewell

Walter Lee Sewell, 84, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, of Mexico, passed away Monday morning, Dec. 15, 2014 at his home.

Visitation is from 4-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19 at Pickering Funeral Home in Mexico. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20 at First Christian Church in Mexico. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Centralia, MO following the memorial.

Walter was born on May 12, 1930, in Centralia, the son of Walter Lee and Goldie Mae (Wainscott) Sewell.

Walt earned the nickname "Amy" from his childhood friends and many call him that to this day. His father died when he was nine years old, leaving him to look after his brothers and sisters. He graduated in 1948 from Centralia High School, lettering in football, basketball and track. He was a lifelong fan of the Centralia Panthers.

In 1949, Walt married Bette Jayne Baker in her parent's home in Mexico. They made their home in Centralia, where Walt worked for Panhandle Eastern Pipeline. There Walt worked the day shift and the night shift and the swing shift, often taking on side jobs to support his growing family. The workers at Panhandle became a close family and friends for life, coming together for summer picnics and Christmas dances. Walt retired in 1988 after working 37 years and continued to meet the old Panhandle crew several times a month.

When Walt's six children were growing up, Walt spent his free time as a baseball coach for his two sons. He also served many years as Cub Master for the Centralia Boy Scouts and was a regular visitor in the bleachers supporting his children and grandchildren in all their activities.

In 1984, Walt and Bette moved to Mexico and became very involved in their church and community. For many years Walt delivered Meals on Wheels and was active in the Audrain Medical Center Auxiliary. He was also a member of the local AARP group and a dependable volunteer at the YMCA and the First Christian Church, serving as a Deacon and a Trustee. Walt was a good steward in his church, making friends with many of the young people keeping a watchful eye as they grew up.

Walt and Bette owned a place at the Lake of the Ozarks for years, spending many summer months with the children and grandchildren fishing and boating. Walt was an avid fisherman who always had a great fish story to tell. He loved the outdoors and the beauty of the world around him.

Walt is survived by the love of his life, Bette and together they had just celebrated their 65th anniversary. Also surviving is one brother, Leroy Sexton of Clark, MO along with his six children and their families: Sherry Medley and Jim, Mexico, Sandy Duffey and Scott, Sugarland, TX, Linda Castle and Norman, Gardner, KS, Lorry Myers and Randy, Centralia, Greg Sewell and Donna, Butler, MO, David Sewell and Dee, Mexico.

Ten grandchildren include Taylor Myers, Memphis TN, Lauren Botticella and Tony, Sioux Falls, SD, Hilary Myers and Greg, Gardner, KS, Kristen Medley and James, Chicago, Il, Mariah Myers, Gardner, KS, Todd Sewell and Ryann, Butler, MO, Amy Platt and Justin, New York, NY, Meredith Brown and Phil, Lebanon, MO, Matt James, Katy, TX, Hayley Martinez and Eddie, Austin, TX,

Nine great grandchildren include Allison, Tessa and Christopher Botticella. Charles and Theodore Medley, Gwendolyn Brown and Aila, Archer and Arrick Sewell.

His parents, brother, Raymond Dale Sewell, two sisters Betty Boydston, and Mary Ann Murphy, preceded Walt in death as well as a granddaughter Kelly Lynn Castle.

The Sewell family extends an invitation to attend the celebration of his life.

Memorial donations may be made to the Mexico Area YMCA or to the First Christian Church in Mexico, They may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N Western St, Mexico, MO 65265.