Walter E. Price Jr.

EARLY LIFE, FAMILY & TRUE DEVOTION

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First Sergeant Walter Edwin Price Jr. (U.S. Army, Ret.), a man of profound courage, unwavering dedication, and deep love for his family, entered into eternal rest on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 3:44 a.m. in Syracuse, New York. He was 78 years old. Walter was born on October 8, 1947, in Bloomfield, New Jersey, to his loving parents, Myrtle Williams Price and Walter Edwin Price Sr. As the eldest of ten children, Walter learned early the values of responsibility, leadership, and protection—traits that would define his entire life and noble career. Though he achieved great distinction in the public sphere, Walter always maintained that his greatest joy and proudest legacy was his family. On October 4, 2002, he wed the love of his life, Arlene T. Price. Together, they built a beautiful life filled with devotion, laughter, and mutual respect, sharing 23 blessed years of marriage. He was a stellar, deeply loving father who fiercely protected and supported his children. His lineage and pride carry on through Bela Maris D. Price, Gabriel Martin D. Price, Tanya Price of North Carolina, William Price of Atlanta, Georgia, and Mark Price of Syracuse, New York. His family was the absolute anchor of his heart. Walter was greeted in heaven by his parents and his beloved brothers, Frederick Price, Wayne Price, Gary Price, and Earl "Pete" Price. His memory will be forever cherished and kept alive by his devoted wife, Arlene; his five children; his loving siblings, Jimmy (James) Burton, Loretta Price, Karen Price, Deirdre Ellis, Ethyl Price, and Cassie Price; and an expansive, close-knit network of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends whose lives he touched with his characteristic warmth and wisdom.

A DISTINGUISHED MILITARY CAREER

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Walter's life was an embodiment of service to the United States. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1968, embarking on a highly distinguished 22-year career that culminated in his honorable retirement on December 31, 1990. Accumulating more than four years of foreign combat and overseas service, he rose to the expert ranks of Aircraft Maintenance Senior Sergeant and First Sergeant, leaving a permanent legacy of technical mastery and leadership. Between 1968 and 1977, Walter answered the highest call of duty by serving two heroic combat tours in the Republic of Vietnam. Operating as an aircraft crew chief and mechanic on the iconic UH-1 Huey helicopters, he flew hundreds of dangerous combat missions. He participated in five distinct Vietnam campaigns, keeping aircraft battle-ready under intense enemy fire while performing vital maintenance, emergency crash recoveries, and combat flight operations from forward firebases. Throughout his esteemed career, Walter brought his sharp technical mind and leadership to various key duty stations, including Fort Dix, New Jersey; Fort Lee, Virginia; Fort Rucker, Alabama; and Godman Army Airfield at Fort Knox, Kentucky. During the height of the Cold War, he was stationed at Cooke Barracks in Göppingen, Germany, with the 56th Field Artillery Brigade. There, he maintained the Pershing II missile program—a critical, nuclear-capable ballistic missile system deployed as a vital deterrence against the Soviet Union. His strategic precision there directly contributed to the operational pressure that ultimately led to the landmark INF Treaty of 1987, which successfully eliminated an entire class of nuclear weapons. He completed his spectacular military career at Fort Drum, New York, serving with D Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, FORSCOM. Ever dedicated to complete professional mastery, Walter continually pushed himself, completing the elite 12-week Master Gunner Course (March 1977), the HIMAG Experimental Course (January 1978), the First Sergeant Course (January 1987), and the Instructor Training Course.

MILITARY DECORATIONS, MEDALS & HONORS ______________________________________________________________________________

For his extraordinary valor, technical skill, and an exemplary 21 years of pristine, continuous conduct, Walter was recognized with numerous prestigious military awards: • Air Medal (17th Award) • Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC) • Army Commendation Medal (Silver & Bronze OLC) • Army Good Conduct Medal (7th Award) • Vietnam Service Medal (5 Campaigns) • Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm • Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal • National Defense Service Medal • Army Achievement Medal • Army Superior Unit Award • Overseas Service Bars (3) • Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award) He also held expert marksmanship qualifications with the rifle, 9mm pistol, and .38 caliber pistol, a Driver/Mechanic Expert Badge with Wheel, and was a proudly badged, certified Aircraft Crewmember.

CIVILIAN LEADERSHIP AND PASSIONS

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Following his retirement from uniform, Walter smoothly transitioned his leadership skills into the civilian sector. Beginning in 1991, he spent over a decade with Lear Siegler Services at Fort Drum, initially working as an Aviation Mechanic before his strong work ethic and managerial skill earned him a promotion to Site Supervisor, a role he held with distinction until 2002. Later, looking for a meaningful new chapter, he shared his vibrant personality and absolute reliability with the community as a Bus Driver and Tour Bus Driver for the Trailways Bus Company in Syracuse, working from 2004 until his well-earned retirement in July 2019. Walter was a multi-faceted man who embraced his hobbies with the same vigor as his career. In his youth, he was an accomplished boxer who competed in the Golden Gloves, an experience that ignited a lifelong love for the sport. Later in life, he found incredible peace in nature. He mastered the complex art of hydroponic gardening, successfully transforming his backyard into a thriving oasis of flourishing crop harvests. He possessed a true Midas touch with mechanical things and took immense pride in restoring classic antique cars, breathing vibrant new life into piece after piece of American history. Walter loved music, was an exceptional dancer, and had a joyful charisma that could light up any room when a good song played. He also enjoyed the thrill and camaraderie of visiting casinos and the quiet, focused patience of a day spent fishing.

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First Sergeant Walter Edwin Price Jr.

Soldier. Father. Husband. American Hero.

May you rest in the eternal peace, grace, and honor you so richly deserve

Calling hours are Friday from 3-6pm at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 705 N. Main St. North Syracuse, NY 13212. A funeral service will take place at the funeral home Saturday, 10am with interment to follow in North Syracuse Cemetery.