Walter Max "Hickory" Morton

Walter Max “Hickory” Morton died Friday, April 5, 2024, at his home in Springdale, Ark., age 94. Born December 22, 1929 in Springdale to Walter Marvin “Jake” Morton and Bessie Lee Prince Morton Vernon. He is preceded in death by his parents and four older siblings: sisters, Virginia Mae Morton Potts, Clara Marvine Morton Anglin, of Springdale and brothers Jimmy Morton of California and Jack Bernard Morton of Berryville Ark. Hickory and siblings grew up in Springdale on their grandparent’s farm, located next to the Springdale Country Club, where he and his brothers earned money by being caddies. That developed into a lifetime love of playing golf and habit of collecting “lost golf balls”. He attended the Springdale school system, but enlisted in the US Marine Corp at the age of 17. He served with the 1st. Battalion, 11th Marines 1st Provisional Marine Brigade reaching the rank of sergeant. He served as a telephone wireman, one of the most dangerous positions, as it was his duty to lay and maintain communications systems between headquarters and the front lines. In Korea he fought in five battles, Nacdone River Bulge, twice, Inchon Landing, Chosin Reservoir and Liberation of Soul S. Korea. All UN troops serving at the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir were given the nickname “The Chosin Few”. He developed debilitating rheumatoid arthritis from the negative zero temperatures in Korea. He spent nine months in Tennessee Naval Hospital recuperating. After five years of hospitals and extensive examinations, the Marines rated him at 50 percent disabled and permanently retired him on March 13, 1957. Later in life he was rated 100 percent disabled. He earned his GED after returning to the US. Returning to Springdale in the early 1950s, he married Colleen Jeanette Gay, and they had a daughter, Gaylene in 1955. They divorced in 1958. He married Mary Mahoney of Springdale on May 1, 1999. Hickory bought the Sunset Café in Springdale in 1963 and owned it for several years. He owned a radio and television repair shop and worked for many years as a vending machine repairman for Servomation, before retiring. He has been a member of the Springdale Country Club since 1972, where he has been an annual competitor in the Chick-A-Tee tournament, winning the competition in 1980. He placed second numerous times as well as winning the Senior Division in the following years. After retirement, he traveled across the country playing in golf tournaments and was still competing in 2023. He and his wife Mary would travel across the country for golf tournaments, Chosin Few reunions, and visiting friends and family. He is survived by his wife, Mary, of the home, daughter Gaylene Morton Long and her husband Mark Long of Collinsville, OK, grandchildren: Russell Isaac Long, his wife Elizabeth Schenk Long and great-grandson Noah Long of Colorado Springs, CO; Jessica Long Davis, her husband Joshua Davis and great-grandson Jacob Davis, of Collinsville, OK; Mary’s son, Kevin Vickers and wife Crystal Vickers of Springdale; grandson Bradley Vickers and great-granddaughter Alexandria Vickers of Alexandria, MN; several nieces and nephews, and brothers and sisters-in-law. Graveside services and burial will be at 10:30 am Friday, April 12 , at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Ark., with cremation under direction of Sisco Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to the VA hospital in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com

Walter Max "Hickory" Morton

December 22, 1929 - April 5, 2024