Walter Lee Tatum – Benton, IL

BENTON — Walter Lee Tatum, 66, passed away Thursday afternoon Aug. 11, 2016, at his home.

He was born Sept. 2, 1949, in Sarasota, Florida, the son of Cecil Henry and Waneza (Perkins) Tatum.

He married Judy LaPorte on Sept. 9, 1977, and she survives.

Mr. Tatum was an U.S. Army veteran serving in Vietnam. He spent 9 months out of a one year tour in the field and was a track driver. He was stationed in Bin Phouc with the 9th Infantry Division. After his tour in Vietnam was over he was stationed in Hawaii where he completed Ranger Training. He was an expert marksman and was invited to shoot in competition for the Army but instead chose to return to civilian life.

He worked on the original construction of Sea World.

Mr. Tatum was a faithful member of Faith Baptist Church in Benton.

He is survived by his wife, Judy Tatum of Benton; sister, Marcella Brown of Benton; brother, George Flora and wife, Edye, of Cosby, Tennessee; son, Don Overturf and wife, Cheryl of Ninetysix, South Carolina; grandson, Joshua Overturf and wife, Andrea of Orange City, Florida; nephews and nieces, Donald Earl Tatum, Patricia Leona Wiggins, Kimberly Caylor, and Lance Flora and wife, Wendy; and special friend/brother, Vic Fedun.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by a brother, Cecil Riley Tatum.

Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 15, in Faith Baptist Church, with Pastor Steven Flach officiating. Military Rites will be conducted by the Benton American Legion and VFW Posts.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Heartbeat International Mission.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Sudeep Nair, the yellow clinic at VA Medical Center and to Oza Cancer Center.

Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton is in charge of arrangements.

For more information or to sign the online guest register, visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com.

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