Obituary: Colonel Walter David Ezzell Jr. (Ret.)

Walter D. Ezzell Jr. passed away peacefully on November 17th, 2024, at WakeMed Health & Hospitals in Raleigh, North Carolina. Walter was born on December 20, 1948, in Kinston NC, to the late Walter David Ezzell Sr. and Flonnie Mae Tew Ezzell. He and his dear brother, Jimmy, grew up together in a loving home, enjoying bluegrass and gospel music, classic cars, and finding ways to make everyone around them laugh.

After graduating from Grainger High School in 1967, Walter attended East Carolina University before enlisting in the North Carolina National Guard in 1970 where he completed basic training at Fort Dix and advanced training as a tracked vehicle mechanic (63H). A loyal, selfless servant, Walter believed in the mission of the National Guard and loved the soldiers he served with, leading him to take a full-time position with the Guard.

Shortly afterwards, he met the love of his life, Stephanie Thompson, and they would be married just a few years later. As they began building their life together, Walter returned to Campbell University to complete his bachelor’s degree before attending Officer Candidate School, where he would be commissioned and go on to serve as an Ordnance Officer. Once finished with school, Walter and Stephanie would grow their family, with the birth of their beloved son Walter “David” Ezzell III in 1980.

Walter devoted 38 years in the military, traveling across the United Stated and around the world, including serving in Operation Desert Shield/Storm. He retired from the North Carolina National Guard in 2005 and the US Army Reserve in 2008. In addition to being a highly decorated soldier, Walter was a master gunsmith, attending schools with both Smith & Wesson and Colt, where he would hone his skills and even own his own business, “Tarheel Gun Shop” in Kinston for many years. He loved to tinker, was a talented craftsman, could repair anything, and valued dedication and hard work.

As much as Walter loved the Guard, his cars, and all his toys, he loved Stephanie beyond all words. He was a hopeless romantic, who cherished Stephanie with all his heart. Having been together for over 50 years, they stood together as a model of true love and partnership in Christ. They loved traveling, spending time together, supporting each other, and most importantly, laughing together. Walter fully believed that blending hard work and having fun was critical to mission success, in work, in marriage, and in all aspects of life. May we all rejoice in knowing they are together again, united in peace with Christ, smiling and laughing together.

Walter was preceded in death by his loving wife, Stephanie; his parents, Walter Sr. and Flonnie Ezzell, and his brother, Jim Ezzell. He is survived by his son, David Ezzell of Clayton; sister-in-law, Angela (Jamie) Sugg of Kinston; sister-in-law, Rebecca Ezzell of Kinston; uncle, Roy Ezzell (Carolyn) of Turkey; nieces and nephews, Heather Ezzell Weigand, and her children, Vivien & Henry of Farmville, Ryan Bostick of Clayton, and Amber Bostick and her son, Tristen Bostick of Gates NC; and numerous cousins, friends and neighbors who became part of the family.

A funeral service will be held at 11am on Thursday, 21 November at Highland Baptist Church, 8524 Crowder Rd, Raleigh, NC 27603. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 before the service at the church. The burial will take place at Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Goldsboro at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the North Carolina National Guard Association. https://ncngmuseum.org/