Walter Larrise Heckadon, 83, Adrian, MO, died Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at his home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 8 at the Atkinson Chapel in Adrian. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday at the chapel. Burial will be in Virginia Cemetery, Virginia, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice of Butler, 612 West Fort Scott Street, Butler, MO 64730 or Adrian Christian Church, P.O. Box 66, Adrian, MO 64720.

Walter was born January 4, 1927 in Passaic, MO, the son of Charles Henry and Oddie Edmonia (Bolling) Heckadon, one of seven children. He grew up in the Passaic-Adrian area. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving from 1944-1946. Walter was united in marriage to Doris Williams on June 20, 1946 and to this union nine children were born. Walter was baptized around the age of 30, joining the Adrian Christian Church. He served the Lord in so many ways; he served as a deacon; he was a man after God's own heart.

Walter worked for Hills Truck Line and eight years in Kansas City, MO for Westinghouse. He then worked at Allis-Chalmers for 25 years before retiring in 1987. Walter worked in the city and farmed most of his life. After retiring, he and Doris did some traveling. He loved working with cattle and in the fields on his John Deere tractor. He loved hunting and fishing. He got his first deer in 1995 and caught his trophy brown trout in 2001; he was so proud of both. He looked forward to going on family vacations to Bennett Springs and Roaring River. He taught his children so many things to help them in life with a lot of love. He was a great husband, father and grandfather, taking every chance to be with his family, supporting them in anything they did.

He loved attending Homecoming parades, taking videos and the Adrian Blackhawk games. One year was very special when five of his grandsons all played on the football field. He also loved playing cards with his siblings and going to family reunions. He loved being around family and friends. Many will remember him as "Snooks", wearing his overalls, joking around, his laughter and always having a smile on his face.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, two brothers, an infant son and daughter and two sons-in-law. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Doris, of the home; two sons, Rodney and Stacy Heckadon, five daughters, Denise Kershner, Cynthia Chastain, Lois Hastings and husband, Steve, all of Adrian, MO and Vickie McElwain and Penny Zerbe of Overland Park, KS; one sister-in-law, Carmen Heckadon of Liberty, MO; 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild and many other relatives and friends.