Richard Tinley Walters
May 1, 1936 - February 17, 2022

Richard Tinley Walters, lovingly known as Dick to his family and friends, passed away at his home in Paradise Valley, Arizona on February 17, 2022. He was 85 years old. Dick was born on May 1, 1936, in Morris, Oklahoma to parents Paul and Willie (Raney) Walters. He was one of 4 children.

Dick graduated from Morris High School where he was active in leadership roles on his high school football team and in FFA. He graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University with degrees in Business and Education and attended law school at the University of Oklahoma. Dick supported his young family and paid his college tuition by buying and selling used cars. He became a teacher and Middle School principal in the Tecumseh, Oklahoma School district.

Dick's love and success in the car business grew, so he followed his talent for commerce and opened a used car dealership in Shawnee, Oklahoma. During these formative years in his business, Dick employed three talented men who worked with him until the end of his career. Lynn Alldredge was his brother-in-law, close friend and accountant. Brown Wallace became his legal counsel and confidant. In 1987 Dick hired Rodney Harper as his General Manager. They worked closely in business and made many memories as friends.

To expand his automobile enterprise, Dick opened a Buy Here/Pay Here dealership in Oklahoma City known as Rolling Wheels, with the assistance of Rodney Harper. Over the next 35 years Dick and Rodney successfully opened two more dealerships in Oklahoma City: The ShowCase Auto Mall and Super Sports.

Dick enjoyed the desert climate of Arizona and eventually extended his entrepreneurship to the Phoenix area. He purchased commercial real estate in the valley and became a partner in the Big 3 Automart in Chandler, Arizona with business associates and friends, the late Dick McCann and Nick Bruce. He was appointed to the board of several state and national Independent Automobile Associations. During Dick's 66 years in the car business, he helped to mold the industry into its present state.

Dick loved to attend car auctions and always carried a yellow note pad for scheduling the events of the next day's business. He frequently called Rodney to discuss the next business venture. He had a quirky sense of humor and was a workaholic by nature. In his later years, Dick attended and enjoyed Sunday services at Christ Church of the Valley in Scottsdale, Arizona.

In Oklahoma City, Dick met Sabrina Smith while she worked for Rodney Harper at Show Case Auto Mall. Dick and Sabrina married in 1995 and resided in Paradise Valley, Arizona. In 1998 Dick and Sabrina became the parents of O. Saige Walters. Sabrina passed away in 2012 and Dick remained a widower until his passing. He considered Sabrina to be the great love of his life.

As a young father Dick would take his daughters, Cyndy and Karin, along with their cousins boating on the Oklahoma lakes. While living in Arizona, he enjoyed attending football games at OU experiencing the OU-Texas rivalry with Saige. Watching his son play soccer, flag football and compete in team roping as an adult were special activities for Dick.

Dick is survived by his daughters, Cynthia Thompson and husband, Pastor Larry Thompson of North Carolina; Karin Kodman and husband Grant Kodman of Oklahoma; son O. Saige Walters and wife Paige Walters of Arizona; three grandchildren, Ami, Jennifer and Trey; two great grandsons, Strong and Tru; his sister, Jean Alldredge of Oklahoma; brothers Paul Walters Jr. of Texas, Carlos Walters of Oklahoma; multiple nieces and nephews, including nephew and business associate Jason Alldredge of Oklahoma.

Dick will be missed for his deep voice, brilliant mind, a tireless work ethic and the knowledge he passed down to his work family. A memorial service will be held on Thursday at 11:00 am at the Hansen Mortuary and Cemetery in Scottsdale, Arizona. The family will receive guests for a viewing at 10 am. All friends and family are invited to attend.

The service will be livestreamed at the following link: https://vimeo.com/680173149 -

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