Walter C. Hales, 96, passed away on July 31, 2023, with his children by his side. Born on June 15, 1927, in New York, New York, Walter lived a life of service. Growing up in Long Island, New York, Walter graduated from Valley Stream High School in 1945 and Muskingum College in 1949, then worked in New York and served in the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Fueled by his lifelong desire to serve others, Walter attended the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, graduating in 1955. While at seminary, Walter met and fell in love with Barbara Streeter. They married in 1956, and Walter was appointed to his first post as a Presbyterian minister in Dubois, Pennsylvania. Walter was a minister in churches in Pennsylvania and Ohio before changing careers to become a counselor for the Ohio Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR) in 1970, moving to Perrysburg. At BVR, Walter worked with people with disabilities in job skill development and training as a certified vocational rehabilitation counselor and counselor manager. He was a member of the Ohio Rehabilitation Association and Ohio Rehabilitation Counselor Association, serving terms as president and treasurer. Walter retired from public service in 1992 and immediately launched into what seemed to be full-time volunteer public service. He served on the Perrysburg City Council for two terms, volunteered in the Way Library history room, served on the Perrysburg Area Arts Council and Perrysburg Symphony Chorale Board of Trustees, and was a member of the Exchange Club of Perrysburg, serving a term as president. He also volunteered as an AARP tax preparer at Way Library from 1996 to 2012, working as the site coordinator from 1996 to 2010. As a member of the Cognoscenti Book Club in Perrysburg from 2004 to 2023, Walter developed a close group of friends and continued to enjoy meeting friends for brunch on Sundays for years. In addition to these many activities, Walter was an avid raspberry grower, baker, and runner. In addition to his many interests and accomplishments, Walter was a devoted father and grandfather. His grandchildren have wonderful memories of educational and fun outings, his love of play and conversation, and his sound advice. Walter was an example of loyalty and commitment, doing whatever was necessary to support and guide his family and contribute to his community. This tribute would not be complete without including his deep and longstanding commitment to racial equity, civil rights, and the promise of our democracy. A lifelong Democrat, Walter never missed an opportunity to vote and insisted on being taken to vote only a few weeks before he died. Walter was happily married to Barbara Streeter for nearly 43 years until her sudden passing in 1999. He married Gloria Walker Green in 2004, and they enjoyed almost 14 years of fulfilling companionship until her passing in 2018. In addition to Barbara and Gloria, Walter was preceded in death by his brothers, Gilbert W. Hales (Mary Lou) and Roy E. Hales (Joan, deceased). He leaves behind to cherish his memory children, Janet Hales (Gary Miesle) and Walter J. Hales (Karen); grandchildren, Marisol Perez-Hales, Ramon Perez-Hales, John Miesle, Jackie Miesle, Audrey Hales, and John Hales; great-granddaughter, Mikayla; sister-in-law, Mary Lou Hales; other family member, Kerry Green Zobor (Attila), and extended family and friends. We will miss him dearly.