Oren William Walther, Jr.

Oren Walther, Jr of Livonia, Age 74 Oren William Walther, Jr was born on July 22, 1944 to Oren Sr and Helen. Along with his younger brother, Richard, he was raised in a manner that taught him to be a man who lived with deep faithfulness to God and to his family. As a boy, Oren’s family would travel in Michigan or to rural park areas outside of Detroit where he developed a great appreciation for the outdoors; a passion which never left him. Oren’s favorite places to travel were in northern Michigan and he never turned down an opportunity to visit and cross his favorite landmark, the Mackinac Bridge. Each visit to the area, regardless of the weather, meant a new picture of him standing at the same spot. Oren loved to garden. He would begin growing his beloved vegetable plants and flowers in the basement of his home under lights each year when snow was still on the ground. By the time the ground thawed he would turn the soil and plant his seedlings. This practice allowed him to enjoy his fresh tomatoes right off the vine very early in the season. As a new graduate of Wayne State University with a Master’s Degree in Primary Education, Oren was hired by the Southfield Public Schools where he spent 46 years as a teacher at Adler Elementary School. As a fifth grade teacher most of his career, his classroom was the one that all the younger students hoped to be in for their final year at elementary school. Oren truly loved his vocation and the Southfield School system and still spoke fondly of and was in touch with many of his former students even after retirement. Oren was a dedicated servant to God and to Faith Covenant Church where he volunteered as a Sunday school teacher when his own kids were younger, served as the recording secretary to the Church Board and dedicated over 40 years to operating the Church Sound System. Oren also served outside the Church where he unselfishly donated his time for nearly 40 years to the Motor City Theatre Organ Society and the Redford Theatre as a board member, theatre usher and movie projectionist. On June 20, 1970 Oren was married to his true love, Vivian. Together they raised a family of three children, William, Nancy and Karen. He was quietly and humbly proud of his kids and supported them in everything they did all while teaching them the values and ethics they have today. Oren was deeply devoted to his family and especially to Vivian, always making sure he had her approval before going anywhere. On September 3, 2018 after spending 24 hours peacefully sleeping in hospice care, Oren opened his eyes, saw his family gathered in the room and smiled. Upon finding his beloved Vivian she took his hand, told him one last time that it was okay to go and he departed our earth to take his well-earned seat at the table of our Savior. Oren leaves a rich legacy of thousands of former students and beloved friends. He is deeply missed by his wife Vivian, children William (Michele), Nancy (Stephen), Karen (Matt), six grandchildren Marissa, Michael, Madison, Samuel, Jessica and Nathaniel, his brother Richard, his two sisters-in law, Linda and Louise and his nephew Richard Jr and niece Trish. While this is a time of deep sorrow, we all rejoice in the comfort that this great husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend lived a full life never doubting that he would have a place in Heaven. Visitation will be held at the R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home, 15451 Farmington Road, Livonia on Thursday, September 6, from 1 PM to 9 PM with funeral service on Friday, September 7, at 10 AM. Please share a memory of Oren by writing on his tribute wall.