2016 Hall of Fame Honoree
Mr. Walter Edwin Price, ‘44
(Posthumously)
Walter Edwin Price passed away September 11, 2015 in his Stillwater home.
A descendent of two pioneer Tulsa families, the Prier Lee Prices and the Walter E. Broaches, he attended Tulsa Public Schools and graduated from the Oklahoma Military Academy, a horse cavalry ROTC unit.
Upon turning 18 in 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, but soon earned an appointment to the United States Military Academy. After graduation he completed Jump School before his combat deployment as a rifle company commander.
Upon his return from Korea, the Army sent Walter to Columbia University in New York City where he received a master’s degree in psychology in preparation to teach Military Psychology and Leadership at the Academy. While at Columbia, Walter met his future wife, Jane Ezell, a fellow Oklahoman.
After Walter completed Army Ranger training, they were married in April 1955 and he began teaching at West Point. Jane and Walter welcomed their first two sons while stationed at the Academy – Stuart and Douglas.
After teaching, Walter completed the Infantry Advanced Course and he and Jane began a three-year assignment in Germany. While in Europe, they had their third son, Roger.
Returning from Europe, Walter attended the Command General Staff College followed by a Senior Staff position with the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Walter later served as an active duty ROTC instructor at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. It was here that he and Jane realized they had finally found their home and Jane gave birth to their youngest son, John.
Walter’s next assignment was a combat deployment in Vietnam as an Infantry Battalion Commander with the 101st Airborne. Walter considered this the height of his military career because of the brave soldiers under his command. Following one final assignment at Ft. Leonard Wood, the Price family returned to settle permanently in Stillwater.
Walter continued to work, serving in the administrations of two governors and later finishing his career in the banking industry. Walter participated in multiple civic and service organizations. Walter was active in the OMA Alumni Association for more than 30 years and was named an OMA Distinguished Alumni in 2007. He was a cofounder of the Stillwater Humane Society, a city commissioner, and a proud supporter of a number of other organizations including St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Walter said, “When you’re almost ninety, only four things matter: God, Country, Family and Friends.” He claimed to have the best “roster of friends” a man could ask for.
Walter is survived by his wife of over sixty years, Jane, son Stuart, Stuart’s wife Beverly, granddaughter, Kelsey Case, sons Douglas and Roger, son John and daughter-in-law Suzee, and their children Quentin, MacGregor, Payton and Ellery.