Roger M. Walston Sr.

Roger Merrill Walston, Sr.LaurensRoger Merrill Walston, Sr, age 85, of Bethel Church Road, and husband of Nancy Agnes Jones Walston, passed away on Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at his home.Born in Bermuda, AL, he was a son of the late John and Mattie Belle Ryland Walston. Roger joined the US Army in 1951, and served with the 24th Infantry Division in Japan and Korea from 1952-1954. He has also seen active duty with the 7th Infantry Division in Europe and with VII Corps Headquarters. He is a graduate of the 7th Infantry Division's NCO Academy. He also served as supply sergeant at Jacksonville State College for the ROTC. After Jacksonville, he served in Germany, Vietnam, Fort Jackson, SC, and retired as SFC at Fort McClellan, AL in 1971. Roger was also a member of Bethel Baptist Church where he formerly served as deacon and Sunday school teacher.Surviving in addition to his wife are his children, Nanette Wilbanks and husband Tommy, Roger M. Walston, Jr. and wife Cindy, and James Walston and wife Janet, all of Laurens; grandchildren, Robbie Wilbanks, Kimberly Teal and husband John, Paul Wilbanks, Andrew Walston and wife Amber, Rebecca Walston, Jenna Bowers and husband Jeremy, and Olivia Griffin; eight great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by: his brothers, Charles and Cecil Walston, and his sister, Geraldine W. Oliver.Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, February 3, 2017, at The Kennedy Mortuary Chapel conducted by Rev. Ben Rumph with burial following in Forest Lawn Cemetery with Full Military Honors.The family will be at the residence and will receive friends at The Kennedy Mortuary from 2:00-3:00 pm on Saturday.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Homestead Hospice, 109 Laurens Road, Building 1A, Greenville, SC 29607 or to Bethel Baptist Church, 885 Bethel Church Road, Laurens, SC 29360.Condolences may be expressed online at www.thekennedymortuary.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Roger M. Walston Sr. please visit our Sympathy Store.