Walter Collins Cantrell

Walter Collins Cantrell, son of the late Walter Clay and Virginia G. (Carruthers) Cantrell, was born Nov. 16, 1941, in Los Angeles, Calif., and departed this life Feb. 19, 2026, at his home in Sharpsburg, Ga., at 84 years of age. Walter was raised on his family farm on Cantrell Road near Mansfield and he graduated from Mansfield High School in 1960. He joined the United States Air Force and honorably served his country in Korea. He was united in marriage to Celeste Wilson on Jan. 14, 1966, and two children were born to this union, Rebecca and Wayne. Walter graduated from Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University as an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic and went to work for Delta Airlines in 1969, in New Orleans, La. He moved his family to Mississippi in 1977, then Morrow, Ga., in 1987, and then to Sharpsburg, Ga., in 1993, all while working with Delta Airlines. He retired from Delta in 1996, and then worked for Aeroflot in Moscow, Russia. He was in Russia for about six months out of the year over the next three years before he retired for good and returned home. Walter had a 1937 Stake Bed Ford Half-Ton Truck that his dad bought when he was a kid. Walter and his son, Wayne, were able to restore it together in 1994, and he was a proud member of The Early Ford V8 Club of America. He was also a member of the Commemorative Air Force which was founded to acquire, restore and preserve in flying condition a complete collection of combat aircraft which were flown by all military services of the United States. Walter has been a Mason for the past 48 years, and he was also a Shriner for many years. He enjoyed being a Shriner Clown and his specialty was doing balloon acts for kids.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Virginia Cantrell; his wife, Celeste L. Cantrell; and three brothers, Sonny Cantrell, Woody Cantrell and Richard Cantrell. He is survived by his daughter, Rebecca George and husband, Richie; his son, Wayne Cantrell and wife, Sandra; five grandchildren, Trey George, Tylynn Graves, Kyle Graves, Michael A. Orr and Grayson George; two great-grandsons, Weston Graves and Graham Graves; his sister, Diane Roy; two nephews, Mark O’Hanlon and wife, Lauren, and Mike Cantrell and wife, Kathy; one niece, Mary Cantrell; and many other extended family and friends who will miss him. Graveside services were held Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at Hensley Cemetery, Mansfield, with Masonic Services and Military Honors, under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mansfield.