Roll Call Tribute

Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home obituary
9700 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, TX 78750 | 512-335-1155

Walter E. Reynolds Jr.
February 8, 1917 - October 23, 2014

Funeral Service
Monday, November 03, 2014 | 4:00p.m.
Hope Presbyterian Church
Austin, Texas
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Walter Ewing Reynolds, Jr, (97), a Marine Corps Colonel Retired, formerly of Arlington, Virginia, died October 23, 2014. He was born in Richardson, Texas, February 8, 1917. He joined the Texas National Guard in 1937, while a student at John Tarleton Agricultural College, Stephenville, Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M College May 1940, and entered active duty with the 3rd Armored Division, Camp Polk, Louisiana, May 1941. October 1941, he transferred to the U.S. Marine Corps and completed his basic Marine Training at Quantico, Virginia, in early 1942. His initial assignment after training was with the 6th Marine Defense Battalion, Midway Island and later with the 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Saipan-Tinian and occupation of Nagasaki, Japan. After World War II, he was a student at several military institutions and an instructor, teaching amphibians and armored vehicle employment at the Marine Command and Staff College, Quantico, Virginia. In 1950, he was ordered to Korea, where he served as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division during the "Punchbowl Operation" in September, 1951. He was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for the skillful operation of tank units in terrain that severely handicapped their effective employment. His other assignments included Commanding Officer, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California 1963-1964; and Joint Staff Officer at the United Nation Command, Korea, as well as Staff Officer at Headquarters, Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. He graduated from the U.S. Naval War College in June 1967. His last assignment was as Assistant G-4/Executive Officer, G-4 Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C., 1967-1968.
His awards included two Legions of Merits, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and The President Unit Citation.
After retiring from the Marine Corps, August 1968, he accepted a position with Allis-Chalmers Corporation as Deputy Director for Government Affairs, Washington, D.C.
In 1984, he and his wife, Virginia, decided to retire and travel. For the next several years, they traveled Western/Central Europe, Middle East, Japan, China, and the Caribbean Islands, and all the major rivers of the United States.
In 1985-1991, he was asked by the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation to assume the chairmanship of the Marine Corps Museum Gift Shop Committee. Due to his impressive leadership, reorganizing and renovation of the Gift Shop, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.
He was an active member of the Little Falls Presbyterian Church, Arlington, Virginia for over twenty years serving as deacon, elder, President of Trustees, and a member of various committees. Since moving to Austin, Texas in 2003, he has enjoyed time as a member of Hope Presbyterian Church.
He was a 32nd degree Mason, Scottish Rite Bodies, Alexandria, Virginia, and a 65 year member of the R.C. Buckner Masonic Lodge #1176 in Dallas, Texas, and the Kena Shrine, Fairfax, Virginia. Colonel Reynolds was a member of the Army and Navy Club, Washington, D.C.
Walter Reynolds was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Virginia Young Reynolds in 2012. He is survived by two daughters, Gayle, wife of Dr. James R. Cullington, and Alice Kaye, "Bunny", wife of Herbert J. Barnard Jr., both of Austin, Texas, and a son, John Y. Reynolds, and wife, Dawn, of Auburn, Alabama; and seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that expression of sympathy be made in the form of a donation to the United States Marine Corps Foundation, 3800 Fettler Park Drive Suite 104, Dumfries, VA 22025.
A Funeral Service will be held on November 3rd at 4:00 P.M. at Hope Presbyterian Church. A pending Interment, with full military honors, will be held at Arlington National Cemetery.