Walter Cloninger

With a heart full of love and a spirit as free as the Arkansas wind, we celebrate the life of Walter Cloninger, who peacefully departed from this world on May 11, 2025. Born on November 19, 1952, in Morrilton, AR, Walter spent a life rich in laughter, love, and the beauty of the great outdoors.

Walter was a man whose heart was firmly rooted in the fertile soil of his beloved hometown. A dedicated farmer, he tended the earth with the same love and care he bestowed upon his family and friends. His spirited nature and funny disposition were as refreshing as the morning dew on the fields he nurtured. Walter was a Christian who lived out his faith through acts of kindness, service, and a constant readiness to crack a joke or two. His knack for nicknaming everyone he knew was a testament to his unique humor and the deep, personal connections he formed with those around him. In the words of Mark Twain, “The secret of success is making your vocation your vacation.” And Walter did just that, turning his love for farming and fishing into a lifetime of joyous work and play.

Walter was a loving husband to Sylvia, and together they built a life filled with laughter and love. He was a devoted father to his children, Matthew (Teresa) Cloninger, Melissa (Jerry) Pate, Sharon (Kelly) Stobaugh, and Summer (Robbie) Jones - each of whom inherited his spirited nature. Walter was also a beloved brother to Floyd Cloninger, Floy Wyles, Joyce (Will) Tindle, Sara Wheeler, Ruby (James) Spaul, and Peggy Duvall. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who number eight and four respectively, will fondly remember their grandpa as a legend who always had a funny story to share.

Walter was welcomed into the afterlife by his parents, Roy and Jewell Cloninger, his brothers Eugene, Lester, and George Cloninger, his sisters Nettie Clever and Barbara Willcut, and his grandchildren Simon Absher and Walter Cloninger II. As Victor Hugo once wrote, “To love or have loved, that is enough. Ask nothing further. There is no other pearl to be found in the dark folds of life.”

We invite you to share your memories of Walter on his memorial page. Upload photos, tell your stories, and let others know the joy of having known this most loving, spirited, and funny man. His laughter may have quieted, but his spirit lives on in each memory we share. Let us keep his legacy alive in our hearts, remembering always the love and laughter he brought into our lives.