| By Bob Weaver June 4, 2005
If you did not have the good fortune to meet Walter Truss during his days in Calhoun County, you missed meeting a real gentlemen - a man for all seasons, whose life centered on singing and ministering for Christ.
He was never hesitant letting you know about his convictions, spreading a joyful message every day.
You would walk away, feeling better, more hopeful.
Walter was the kind of person many aspire to be.
Walter has died, after a struggle with prostate cancer.
In more recent times, he took his long-time ministry to the Spencer Tabernacle and other regional churches.
He kept up his "good works" to the end of his days.
Now, in the great plan he so believed, he really is "singing for the Lord."
Funeral arrangements to follow.
WALTER SINGS FOR THE LORD - "I Don't Think Old, By The Way"
Republished from April, 2002
"God has given me many blessings across the years"
By Bob Weaver
Walter Truss is a man for all seasons. The Grantsville resident is a young and spry
80-year-old whose life ventures have taken him from World War II in the Army Air
Force which led to a 22-year military career, to singing the blues, performing on radio,
and being a church pastor for 19 years. That's just a few of the things on his
journey.
Since his arrival in Calhoun, he has been a frequent soloist at the Victory Baptist
Church near Grantsville. "I sang in the army and sang at church. I like to sing for the
Lord," he said. His mother, who lived to be 102, sent him to a music teacher to study
voice.
"I sang rhythm and blues in clubs across Pennsylvania and Ohio and later had a
gospel music program on radio in Zanesville and Warren, Ohio," he said. "President
Truman sent me a letter for singing in the Army."
After his wife died, he married Kathryn Sampson last August, daughter of the late
Clyde and Iva King Sampson of Nicut, and the couple decided to move to Calhoun
County.
Walter and Kathryn moved to Calhoun
"I was overcome with sadness when my wife died after 64 years, and it has been a
great joy to marry Kathryn." Walter married his first wife before World War II. She
died in 2000 after a lingering illness.
Walter has six children, four boys and two girls, most of which live in North Carolina
and Ohio.
"The most important thing that ever happened was in 1972, and Jesus came into my
life," said Walter. "Then I was called to preach the gospel. God has given me many
blessings across the years."
He said moving to Grantsville with Kathryn has been rewarding. "People here have
treated us royally."
"I don't think old, by the way. Leaning on Jesus has made the bad days bright."
"I would like to have a little more time. There's so many things I'd like to do," he
concluded.
Walls are filled with photos and memories of Walter's wonderful life
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