Walter Edward Boldridge, Jr., 80, Atchison, Kansas died Monday May 15, 2017 at Mosaic Life Care Hospital, St. Joseph, Missouri.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at 1:00 P.M. at First Christian Church with Rev. Samuel Kyser officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Vernon Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be Tuesday, May 23rd from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association and may be left in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.arensbergpruett.com.

Walter was born March 30, 1937 in Atchison, Kansas the son of Walter Boldridge, Sr., and Grace R. Beadles Boldridge. He attended grade school in Sumner and District #20 rural school, graduating from Atchison County Community High School. He then attended Ft. Scott Community College, Kansas University, Pittsburgh State College and Wichita State College.

He and Iva Leola Todd, of Oskaloosa, KS, were united in marriage on December 8, 1956 in Atchison, Kansas. Mrs. Boldridge preceded him in death on September 10, 2006.

Walter worked at LFM Foundry while in high school, and continued employment there until moving to Oskaloosa, Kansas in 1966. He then worked for Jefferson County and the City of Oskaloosa performing numerous duties. From 1972 until 1976 he worked for Goodyear Tire. He then began working for the City of Atchison at the Waste Water Treatment Plant until his retirement in 1993. Walter was engaged in farming all of his life; he was also known as a horse trainer in the community for his own horses and those of his friends and neighbors. He lead countless trail rides throughout his life.

He was a member of Campbell Chapel A.M.E. Church. He became a western art model at the age of 75 at American Frontier Productions and was one of the founders of the Boldridge Riders Saddle Club.

Survivors include a son, Richard Boldridge, Atchison, KS; three daughters, Teresa (Jake) Koehler, Atchison, KS; Sonya Boldridge, Atchison, KS; Patricia Boldridge, Atchison, KS; two brothers, Mike (Carolyn) Boldridge, Leavenworth, KS; Larry Buchanan, Atchison, KS; five sisters, Delores Todd, Dover, DE; Yvonne Bennett, Topeka, KS; Rita (George) Kelley, Atchison, KS; Barbara (John) Oliver, Atchison, KS; Rozetta (Bill) Thornton, Atchison, KS; five grandchildren, two great grandchildren, two aunts, Esther (Maurice) Jones, Topeka, KS; LaVeta Ferguson, Leavenworth, KS; two special nephews, Sean Tolson, Atchison, KS; Mario Kelley, Atchison, KS; and a special cousin, Leonard (Mary) Boldridge, Lowemont, KS.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a sister Juanita Zishka and a nephew, Brock Tolson.