Walter H. Westrup

Walter Henry Westrup of Davisville, MO was born on Sunday, July 11, 1943 in St. Louis, MO to George Herbert Westrup and Grace Ann Westrup (nee Pipkin).  He passed away at Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan, MO on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at the age of 79 years, 6 months and 29 days.

Walter graduated from Cherryville High School in 1961.  He went to college at University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in education and later went to school where he received his master’s degree in educational administration.  He married Carol Joy Stacy on August 10, 1963 and to this union two children, Wade and Katherine, were born.  He worked for Lindberg High School, Cherryville High School as a shop teacher, then went to Viburnum High School where he was the principal for 2 years and then returned to teaching the shop class until retiring after 37 years in education.  Walter also served on the school board for Viburnum for many years and he enjoyed teaching and keeping up with all of his students. He later married the love of his life, Shirley Faye Rackley on December 19, 1987 in Davisville, MO.  He had accepted the Lord as his personal Savior and was a former member of Sligo Methodist Church.  Walter’s main passion in life were cattle and farming, he was a member of the Missouri Cattleman’s Association and Dent Co. Cattleman’s Association; he enjoyed helping with 4-H while his children were involved and he liked gigging and coon hunting with his coon dog, “Jack.”  Most of all, Walter loved his family.  He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and loyal friend.

He was preceded in death by his parents George and Grace Westrup; parents-in-law Daniel and Viola Rackley; brother Warren Westrup.

Walter is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Shirley Westrup (nee Rackley) of Davisville, MO; children Wade (Tammy) Westrup of Cherryville, MO, Katherine (David) Shaw of Silex, MO and Debbie (John) Watkins of St. James, MO; brother Philip (Deborah) Westrup of Cherryville, MO; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Judy Westrup of Union, MO, Dennis Rackley, Donna (Ray) Hibbs, Karen (Don) Stone all of Hallsville, MO,  Danny (Marcia) Rackley of Columbia, MO and Ron (Cathy) Rackley of Centralia, MO; grandchildren Brittany (Mark) Barton, Skyler (Lexi) Westrup and Victoria (Caleb) Chandler all of Viburnum, MO, Caleb Ritter of the United Kingdom, Cody (Hannah) Shaw of Cuba, MO and Logan Shaw of Silex, MO; great grandchildren Wyatt Shaw, Grady Barton, Drew Barton, Wriley Chandler and Jack Westrup; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation was from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Sunday, February 12, 2023 at Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.  Funeral Service was at 11:00 AM on Monday, February 13, 2023 with Pastor Adam Asher officiating.  Burial was at Sligo Cemetery in Salem, MO.  Memorials were suggested to the Walter H. Westrup Scholarship Fund and dropped off at First Community National Bank.

Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO.

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