Paul Phillip “Cap” Walton

June 16, 1939 – November 27, 2024

Paul Phillip “Cap” Walton, 85, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Terhune, Ind., on Wednesday morning, November 27, 2024. Born June 16, 1939, in Sheridan, he was the son of the late James and Opal Mae (Stroup) Walton.

Cap was a mixture of tinkerer and work-a-holic, combined with enough ornery to keep things interesting. Cap truly made a mark on the community. He attended Sheridan High School, and soon after went to work for Jerry Childers Construction Company in Sheridan. For 40 years, if Jerry’s crew was on a jobsite, Cap was there too. He’d probably forgotten more about building things than most people will ever come to know. Though many tinkerers have a shop where visitors can see their handiwork, or scrapbooks full of pictures of their creations (both good and bad), for Cap, his work takes a little more effort to show. His legacy of work IS our community. The buildings that our businesses call home, the houses we see every day, and the places that when you see a picture of them, you blurt out “hey, I know where that is,” all have a little bit of Cap Walton (and Jerry Childers Construction) in them. He was very proud of his work, and loved pointing out the churches, houses, and businesses (including Kercheval Funeral Home) that he had the pleasure of working on over his career. Cap was part of a generation that valued quality and craftsmanship above anything else. In addition to his years in construction, he worked as a machinist with Exide Battery in Frankfort for 14 years.

An avid outdoorsman, Cap loved spending his free time camping, hunting, fishing, and generally being in nature. He also enjoyed following the Sheridan Blackhawks. When working and playing hard wore him down, Cap found the best way to relax was to plop down in front of the TV and watch some old westerns or action movies.

Of the many interests he had in his life, his true passion was his family. He never tired of following his grandchildren’s adventures. And as proud as Cap was of his family and their accomplishments, teaching his son-in-law “everything he knows” most definitely tops the list.

Cap is survived by his loving wife, Viola (Cooper) Walton. She and Cap were married on November 17, 1962. Also surviving are his son, Paul Wayne Walton (Jennifer) of Scircleville, Ind.; two daughters, Lisia Lynn Johnson (Lonnie) of Terhune and Teresa Ann Walton of Noblesville; eight grandchildren, Brandy Gregory, Jerry Johnson, Ashley Walton, Cody Walton, Amber Brown, Aubrey Blount, Devin Walton, and Brooke Walton; 14 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Vicky Moore (Charles V.) of Sheridan and Mary June Snodgrass (Fred) of Pickard; sister-in-law, Coleen “Cookie” Walton of Sheridan; and many, many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Opal Mae (Stroup) Walton; two brothers, James Junior Walton (and wife, Edith), and George William Walton; and three sisters, Ruth Hancock (and husband, Glen), Betty Doty (and husband, Marvin), and Gloria Devol (and husband, Ronnie).

Services will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, December 5, 2024, at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan, with visitation from 4 p.m. until the time of service. Pastor George Cooper will be officiating.

Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com