

Obituary
Obituary of Walter Lawrence Rattler
Please share a memory of Walter to include in a keepsake book for family and friends.
Walter Lawrence Rattler, age 89, of the Wolfetown/Big Y Community went home to be with the
Lord on March 29, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Cherokee, North
Carolina to the late Woodie Cornsilk Rattler and John West Rattler on September 25, 1933.
He entered Cherokee Boarding School at the age of 9 and graduated in 1947. Immediately after
graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served his country until his
retirement as a Staff Sergeant in 1970. He was stationed in Washington, Georgia, Texas, and
New York, before heading overseas to serve in the Vietnam War and Korean War. While
overseas he had tours in Korea, Greenland, Germany, Vietnam, and Japan. Being so far from
home and family, Walter found ways to pass the time; he became a black belt in Karate and Judo,
and a renowned fast-pitch softball pitcher. After his time in the service, Walter graduated from
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, as a Registered Nurse. His love and
compassion for the healing of people guided his career to care for patients at Asheville Kidney
Center, Craggy Correctional Center, and Cherokee Indian Hospital, where he retired. As a fluent
Cherokee speaker, Walter was passionate about his Cherokee Heritage. He embraced his Cherokee
Culture by teaching the language, becoming an artisan of Cherokee crafts, and traveling on the
pow-wow circuit where he was known for his pork skins.
Walter was a loving husband to Theresa Arch Ratter for 35 years, where they built a family who
supported his kids and grandkids in all their endeavors. He loved to watch them at their sporting
events but was most proud of all of them when he would find them demonstrating their Cherokee
Culture.
In addition to his parents, Walter is preceded in death by the love of his life Theresa Arch Rattler,
Daughter, Loretta Rattler Adams (Doug), and Brother Norman Rattler.
He is survived by: Children, Dawn “Squirrellie” Jumper, Special Son Dave Jumper, Debra
Thomas (Roy), Grandchildren: Clareece Rattler (Evan), Karina “Botch” Jumper, Brionna “Bri”
Jumper, Brianna Lambert, Vanessa John (Frank). Great grandchildren Zaynon Taylor, Gogi
Jumper, Andre Williams, Liam John, Benny John, Orie John, Arthur John. Brother Diamond
Rattler of Fayetteville, NC. Special Friends and Family: Sarah Teesateskie and Family, Dewitt
Chekelelee, Cruz Galaviz, Bo Crowe, Daniel Carroll, Joyce Dugan, Joe Lee (Joann), and BINGO
family.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Cherokee Baptist Church beginning at
5:00pm. Walter will remain at the church until the hour of service on Sunday, April 2, 2023, at
10:00am. Burial will be in the Rattler Family Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Zaynon Taylor, Dave
Jumper, Evan Watty, Michael Lossiah, Dewitt Chekelelee, Ryne “Slaw” Sampson, Timber
Sampson, Cameron Sampson, Logan Teesateskie, Jack Jack Teesateskie, Jeremy Saunooke,
Daniel Carroll, Micah Swimmer, Ogana Swimmer, Aniyah Younce, Zahay Grant, Bo Crowe and
Andrew Oocumma.
Long House Funeral Home assisted the Family with final arrangements.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Walter Rattler, please visit Tribute Store
Saturday
1
April
Visitation
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Saturday, April 1, 2023
Cherokee Baptist Church
812 Tsalagi Rd. (441N)
Cherokee, North Carolina, United States
Visitation
Need Directions?
Sunday
2
April
Funeral
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Sunday, April 2, 2023
Cherokee Baptist Church
812 Tsalagi Rd. (441N)
Cherokee, North Carolina, United States
Funeral
Need Directions?
Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event
Ongoing
Online Event
About this Event

In Loving Memory
Walter Rattler
1933 - 2023
Look inside to read what others have shared
Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book.
Long House Funeral Home
407 Wolftown Road
Cherokee, NC 29710
Phone: 828-497-1408 Fax: (828) 497-2801
Email: brucejrm@aol.com