Arlen Robert Walters (89) of Las Vegas, NV, died suddenly on March 19, 2025, at his home. Born October 28, 1935, in Hays, KS, to Cyril and Catherine Billinger Walters, Arlen grew up amid the close families of both his parents. An only child for his first 10+ years, he was gifted with a bicycle when his sister was born, and then four years later he welcomed his baby brother.
Arlen was educated in the Catholic schools of Hays, including St. Joseph Military Academy for high school. He was a proud member of the Class of 1953, maintaining connections with his male classmates through the years and including his female classmates from Girls Catholic High School. He was instrumental in organizing class gatherings for homecomings through his 70th reunion in 2023. His efforts in promoting the school, now Thomas More Prep/Marian High School, resulted in his receiving the Points of Light award from the school.
Arlen graduated from Fort Hays State College (now University) with a business degree. He served two years in the United States Army at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He played baseball, center field, for the Hays Larks for many years and was recognized in 2021 as the oldest surviving Larks player. He was also drafted by the Kansas City Athletics and played one summer for their Houston farm club. His baseball hero was Ted Williams.
Through high school and college Arlen worked at the Hays Daily News in various capacities, including news reporting, sports reporting, and photography. His favorite assignment was photographing the bison herd at the Hays City Park under the direction of newspaper publisher, Mrs. Leota Motz, who encouraged him to get up close for the shot. This assignment made for a good story for the rest of his life.
After his military service, Arlen began working as a salesman for Carpenter Paper Company in the northwest quadrant of Kansas. He married Muriel Louise Campbell, literally the girl next door, in 1964. They welcomed their son, Craig, in 1965. The family moved to Lawrence, KS, where he continued to work for Carpenter which eventually became Nationwide Paper and from which he retired after 40 years with the company.
The family’s proximity to the University of Kansas in Lawrence was a priority as they were avid Jayhawk fans with season tickets to football and basketball games. Their loyalty continued through the years even as Arlen and Muriel followed their family to Las Vegas in 2004. They were thrilled to be able to watch their granddaughters blossom through childhood and into successful adults. Both granddaughters got married in 2024.
In his retirement years Arlen and Muriel experienced adventures in U.S. and world travel. Their lifetime travels included all 50 states and 47 foreign countries. In addition, Arlen undertook the updates of the Billinger family genealogy, a monumental endeavor resulting in displaying information on new generations. He also kept his cousins up to date on events in the family through emails for which they were grateful.
He is survived by his son, Craig and his wife, Deneen, of Las Vegas; his beloved granddaughters and their husbands, Megan and Brian Schmeer of Sandy, UT, and Abby and Leo Roese, of Denver, CO; his sister, Kathleen Ochs, and her husband, Darrel, of Gypsum, CO; niece, Allison, her husband, Dan Kent, and their son, Wyatt (who loved his great uncle) of Eagle, CO; his sister-in-law, Diana Walters of Munds Park, AZ; his sister-in-law, Patricia Campbell Byram, and her three sons, Steve Brock, David Brock, and Dan Byram and his wife Amy, of Springfield, MO. He was especially close to his godson, Dan Byram and his son, Alex, also Arlen’s godson; one aunt, and numerous cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Muriel, his parents, Cyril (Slim) and Catherine (Katie) Walters, his brother David; all but one of his many aunts and uncles; several cousins; and many friends.
He was cremated and his cremains will be buried with Muriel’s in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Hays, KS. The family suggests donations to TMP/Marian High School, 1701 Hall Street, Hays, KS 67601.