1SG (Ret) Walter Barton Dixon, 91, of Waynesville, a Korean War POW, died Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, in Phelps County Medical Center of Rolla.
He was presumed dead and a personal letter of condolence from President Harry S Truman was sent to the family and a marker was erected in Korea on his grave. However, 1SG (Ret) Dixon was held as a Prisoner of War in Korea for 28 months (1951-1953). For his bravery and heroism, he was awarded seven Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars.
Survivors include two sons, Richard Dixon of Austin, Texas and Russ Dixon and wife Esther of Waynesville; one daughter, Randi Jo Dixon-Long and husband Graham of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; 12 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Celebration of Life services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020, in the Faith Baptist Church of Waynesville. Burial with full military honors will be in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery of Waynesville, under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville/St. Robert. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Monday in the funeral home with a Masonic Service at 6:30 p.m.
