Raymond Louis Walz was born May 16, 1929, in the Parkston and Milltown, SD, area to Clarence and Elizabeth Walz. He was the second born of 7 children. At age 5, Ray moved with his parents to Marshfield, MO, to escape the dust storms. Six years later, at approximately age 10 or 11, they moved back to SD and farmed in the Mitchell area. A few years later, his father, Clarence, bought his father's farm 7 miles east of Parkston, SD.    This farm continues to serves as a proud reminder of our family history and remains in the Walz family.
Ray loved the sport of baseball throughout his life. He played in Milltown, SD, at Island Park with the Parkston Independents team and was considered a very good team pitcher. This passion and involvement in baseball continued throughout his life taking him to many, many places in this country.
On July 12, 1949, Ray married Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Hohn in Dimock, SD. Through this marriage, 4 children were born; Darla, Janet, Dale, and Delmar. They spent their early years together on a farm 5 miles east of Parkston.
In 1958, Ray became the Chief of Police in Parkston. Three years later, he joined the SD Highway Patrol serving in Faith, Deadwood, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls. As a State Trooper, SGT Walz worked in the Safety Education area. He visited the schools with Mike the Talking Bike and Charlies Daily Venture, a pedestrian program. He also taught many of you in Defensive Driving Courses for State Employees and assorted groups, too many to mention. But one of the most long lasting SDHP memories was the Rapid City flood; the loss of so many lives along with his patrol car. Ray retired from the SDHP on December 15, 1980. After this retirement, he began a new career as the Safety Director of Universal Transport for 15 years. During this time, he also served on the Board of Directors for the SD Trucking Association for 18 years. The service to his community continued as the President of the Piedmont Fire Protection District Board for many years.
Ray loved his fishing and hunting excursions with his sons, brothers, nephews, and friends, most of which will tell you how much they learned from Ray and the art of hunting. We would be remiss if we did not mention their weekly trips to the "River" in search of those elusive and treasured walleye. Being part of their grandkid's life was paramount to their life. Those grand boys learned from the best and he was fortunate know two great-granddaughters.
Raymond Louis Walz, 90, of Piedmont, SD, died at Regional Health Hospice of the Hills Thursday, July 25, 2019.
He is survived by daughters, Darla Pereira (John), Janet Murphy (Dave), Shirley Rising (Curt); grandsons, Jarred, Tanner, Riley, and Frank; great-granddaughters, Raya and Kennedy; along with numerous other family members.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; two sons, Dale and Delmar; his parents; four siblings, Robert, Fritz, baby Francis, and sister, Florence.
Visitation will be Sunday, July 28, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of the Black Hills Catholic Church in Piedmont.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 29, 2019, at Our Lady of the Black Hills Catholic Church with Father Andrzej Wyrostek officiating. Burial will follow at the Piedmont Cemetery.

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