CSM (Ret) Walter Eugene Wheat, 80, of Abilene passed away December 29, 2014. Services will be held Friday at 2:00 p.m. at Elmcrest Baptist Church, with T.C. Melton officiating. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Thursday evening at North's Memorial Chapel, 242 Orange Street. Walter was born October 30, 1934 in Corsicana, Texas to Linzie B. Wheat and Johnnie Mae Carroll. Walter is the 7th born of five brothers and four sisters. Walter met the love of his life and then married Doris Jean Putman on December 31, 1958 at the First Methodist Church in Dawson, TX. Their union of 57 years produced two sons; Bruce Alan and Darrell Wayne Wheat. Walter entered military service in July, 1954 receiving basic training at Ft. Bliss, El Paso, Texas. He served as a Non Commissioned Officer in the Army Engineer Corps, reaching the military rank of Command Sergeants Major, upon graduation from the academy in 1974. Walter a combat veteran served as the First Sergeant for Company B, 8th Engineers, 1st Cavalry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam 1968 and 1969, where he received the Bronze Star for valiantly and the Republic 0f Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with a palm leaf device. His other awards include: National Defense Ribbon, Vietnam Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal, Army of Occupational Metal (Germany), Army Air Medal, and Army Commendation Medal. Returning to Abilene after 21 years, retired from the service to his country at Fort Riley, Kansas, Walter enrolled in McMurry University receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree specializing in Elementary Education. He was employed by R & R Electronics before retiring again in early 1990. Walter also served the citizens of Abilene as a member of the Abilene City Council for two terms, from 1984 through 1990. Among his other accomplishments, Walter has served as a 40 year, Master Freemason of the 33rd degree, and belonged to local lodge 559. He was preceded in death by his parents, L.B. and Johnnie Mae Wheat, brothers; Linzie B. Jr., Homer Lee, Virgil Ray, and Alfred Glen Wheat and sisters; Mea Evelyn Bland, and Martha Ann Bell. He is survived by his wife Doris, two sons; Bruce Wheat and wife Regina of Abilene, Darrel Wheat and wife Sharon of Abilene, two granddaughters; Amy Wheat of Grapevine, Emily and Tyler Marrow of Abilene, two grandsons; Shane Wheat and wife Jessi of Abilene, Cody Wheat and wife Meagan of Abilene. One brother, Marvin Samuel Wheat, and two sisters; Hazel Ruth Jayroe and Geneva Aileen Almon. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Hendrick Hospice Care, or to a charity of your choice. Online condolences can be made at: www.northsfuneralhome.com