Remembering The Life of
Walter Jacob Anderson
October 15, 1962 – July 07, 2026
Walter came into this world on October 15, 1962, at the Fort Belvoir Hospital in Virginia, to the late William James Anderson and Ida Faye (Cole) Anderson. Walter left this world at the age of 63, passing peacefully after losing his hard-fought battle with multiple cancers.
The family moved often following his father while he served in the U.S. Army finally settling down in Portland, Oregon, in 1974 after his father retired. After attending Grant High School, Walter served a stint in the U. S. Army returning to Portland to live and work. He moved in the late 1990s or the early 2000’s when his employer offered him a transfer to Arizona.
Walter met the love of his life, Kelli, in 2006 when one of his friends introduced them to each other. They were married on May 25, 2008, in Ash Fork, Arizona under the watchful eye of his mother with his brother, David, as his best man. Kelli and Walter were together for over 20 years; married for 18 of those years.
Walter loved playing pool and going to car shows. He was very good at playing pool, so good he played in championship games in Las Vegas. His skills at the billiard tables were honed while living in Portland playing with family members as well as anyone who wanted to shoot pool.
Uncle Walter was the prankster you never knew was around until he got you, he was always fun to be around. He would take his nieces to the mall for lunch then go shopping to help him find pants in the summer. He acted like a big brother to his nieces and nephews pushing them in the swimming pool, always having a good time and forever smiling. Uncle Walter was asked by a very young niece why he was bald? You see, he went bald early in his life. He told her that some people are just born with naturally beautiful heads and he needed to show his off.
Walter cared deeply for his family and the friends he met along the way, remodeling his parents’ kitchen and bathroom. But Walter was dedicated to Kelli; he made sure Kelli was taken care of and felt safe no matter what. They had more hard times and struggles than most, but he persevered handling things even though many were out of his control. He worked hard to tackle the many obstacles he and Kelli faced, striving to make a good life for Kelli. Walter worked as a Security Guard up until the day he was admitted into the hospital. Through it all he never lost that smile or laugh that could light the room.
God saw you getting tired
and a cure was not to be
so He put His arms around you
and whispered “Come with Me.”
Walter’s body was donated to Research For Life helping with scientific research in developing breakthroughs in the treatment options for conditions like cancer, dementia, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and medical education that will improve the quality of life and medical care a person receives.
Besides his parents, Walter was preceded in death by William James Anderson (brother), David Bryant Anderson (brother), and Ryan Gilbert Sanders (nephew). Walter is survived by his wife, Kelli Stevens, sisters Mary Harriott and Sandra Sanders, brothers Michael Anderson, John Anderson, and Kenneth Anderson, and many nieces and nephews.
His remains will be cremated with the ashes spread in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at a later date.
Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Walter is remembered for his resilience, dedication to Kelli, being a jokester, his smile, and that laugh.
