November 29, 1928 – November 25, 2022
He Helped Many a Troubled Soul
Trinity Counseling Service in Princeton
Reverend Dr. Ronald Knight Walthall, D.Min, 93, died peacefully at home on Friday, November 25, four days short of his 94th birthday, surrounded by his devoted wife and loving family.
The eldest son of Ralph Hamilton "HR" Walthall and Ethel Rosebud Smith Walthall, Ronnie was born on November 29, 1928, in Alderson, West Virginia, growing up in Covington and Ivor, Virginia. He received his B.A. degree at Berea College, KY, his M.Div. at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and his D.Min. at Eden Theological Seminary, MO.
He was ordained to ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and served two churches in the St. Louis, MO area (1956-1970). Upon moving to New Jersey in 1970, he served his community as a Certified Pastoral Counselor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist working in private practice, and with Trinity Counseling Service in Princeton for 32 years, until retiring in 2003.
Late in Dr. Walthall's career, he was appointed as chairman of New Jersey Board of Marriage and Family Examiners by then-Governor Christine Whitman, a board that he served on for eight years. Following his retirement, he served on the Committee on Ministry, Presbytery of New Brunswick. From 1972 to present, Ronald attended Harlingen Reformed Church in Belle Mead.
Ron married Camille Chamberlin in 1956 and together their family grew to four daughters, then to include spouses, 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, with two additions expected soon, as well as four step-grandchildren and eight step-great grandchildren.
Ron had a life-long love of photography, capturing thousands of images of sights along his journey and the family he and Camille have cherished over their lives. He managed to instill that passion for photography in multiple generations of offspring, and his legacy continues.
Ron and Camille invested much in the lives of the people they love, driving many miles each year to spend time with their parents, siblings, and children to build relationships. Because of their priority, their children became close to their extended family members and carry that priority themselves.
Ron was also an accomplished fix-it man, passing on his knowledge and ingenuity to each of his daughters.
In addition to his parents, Ron was predeceased by one brother, Ralph (Sonny) Walthall and a sister, Wynona (Tiny) Walthall Crush.
Ronald is survived by Camille, his wife of 66 years, four daughters, Kathy W. Gardner (Richard), Kerry W. O'Donnell Fehrle (John), Karol W. Braddock (Josh Wickline), and Kelly W. Lamastus. Ron and Camille have 11 grandchildren [Sean O'Donnell (Kristen), Allison G Patel (Gunjan), Kristin O. McCandless (Kevin), Michael O'Donnell (Nicole), Christopher Braddock (Kelly), James Gardner (Kristen), Stephen Braddock (Heather), Kelly O. Bonner (Mike), Eric Lamastus (Cassie), Troy Lamastus (Megan Sundell), and Amber Lamastus (Rick Raaf)], 4 step-grandchildren [John Fehrle, Jr. (Jessica), Melissa F. Fontana (Wesley), Matt Fehrle (Kelly), and Andrew Fehrle (Gina)], 10 great grandchildren [Logan O'Donnell, Jace Braddock, Shane McCandless, Connor McCandless, Tennyson Braddock, Asa Patel, Mira Patel, Ariel Gardner, Peyton Braddock, Zora Gardner], and 8 step-great grandchildren [Cooper Fehrle, Wesley Fehrle, Jackson Fontana, Dominic Fontana, Isabella Fehrle, Ariella Fontana, and Scarlett Fehrle].
He is also survived by his sister, June Walthall Hamm of Abilene, Texas, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and a large extended family who have been a very important part of his life through the years.
A celebration of Ronald's life will be held on his birthday, Tuesday, November 29, at 7 pm at Harlingen Reformed Church, 2142 US-206, Belle Mead, NJ 08502. Memorial gifts may be made to Harlingen Reformed Church.
