James Winston Walters, 84, passed away on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at Atrium Health in Pineville, NC.
Born on February 26, 1941, James Winston Walters was the son of the late James Henry Walters and Dorothy Mae Price Walters. Mr. Walters was raised in the Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania area and always had a passion for higher education and helping others. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Wilkes University in Economics and Accounting and later graduated from Bucknell University with a master’s degree in Finance. In 1989, he received his Certified Financial Planning Degree from The College of Financial Planning. After college, he also served in the Army National Guard. He was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons Fidelity Lodge #474, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania for over 50 years. Mr. Walters loved being a professor and taught at Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI for 14 years after a long career in the private sector. He served in a variety of finance and leadership roles, including as Chief Financial Officer of Boys Scouts of America-Narragansett Council and Director of Finance at Hasbro, Inc. After moving to Rock Hill, SC with his wife Jane, following their retirement, he taught part-time as a professor for four years at Winthrop University in Rock Hill. Throughout his life, he enjoyed golf, gardening, and serving in his communities and at his churches, Shephard of the Valley United Methodist (RI) and Woodland United Methodist (SC). Mr. Walters especially loved his family and will be dearly missed, especially for his energetic spirit and as a great conversationalist and friend. He lived by the motto “follow your passion,” and often conveyed this advice to his students.
He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Jane Kendall Walters; his son, Matthew J. Walters and daughter-in-law, Susan Chemerynski; his granddaughter, Vivian Walters; and his brother-in-law, Frank B. Kendall and wife, Gladys. He is preceded in death by his late parents.
A Celebration of Life service will be held for Mr. Walters at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Woodland United Methodist Church, 801 Cherry Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29732.
Condolences can be made here at greenefuneralhome.net.