Walter M. Heyne, Jr., 96, of Rogers AR passed away peacefully on June 21, 2026 in Rogers AR. Walt, husband of Millie Heyne and son of Walter and Ruth Heyne, was born on May 27, 1930, in Gilman, IL. 

At the age of 6 the family moved to Pontiac, MI where he spent his formative years. He graduated with honors from Michigan Lutheran Seminary High School in Saginaw, Michigan and, following a stint in the army, Washington University in St Louis with a degree in economics. In 1953, he married Mildred Harviell of St Louis. They were married nearly 73 happy years. Their marriage produced three outstanding children.

Walt worked for Ralston Purina for 22 years in seven different cities before starting his own business in 1973. After selling the business, he joined Starner Tax Group and became an Enrolled Agent, the highest credential the IRS awards. He retired fully in 2017 at the age of 87. Walt was a founding member and Treasurer of the Arkansas Alzheimer Assoc., a board member of the Arkansas Lung Assoc, a 57-year member of Rotary International, where he was a ten-time Paul Harris Fellow and awarded Citizen of the Year. When the Big Brother program was started in NW Arkansas Walt was its first big brother, creating a friendship that lasted until his death.

In 2017, Walt became the oldest patient to receive a kidney transplant through Barnes- Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Walt was a life-long Lutheran and, at the time of his death, a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Rogers. Walt was an avid golfer who could still break his age and recorded his 7th hole-in-one at 92 years old. He played the game until he was 94 years old. He loved to garden and was a highly competitive tomato grower.

Walt was preceded in death by his wife Millie, darling daughter Miki, his parents and his brother Paul. He is succeeded by his children, Gail Heyne Hafer (Rik), Marty Heyne (Kathleen), and his son-in-law Wallie Winholtz; three granddaughters Caitlin Hafer (Richard), Grace Heyne Lybrand (Kevin), and Callie Heyne Eberspeaker (Eric); four great grandchildren Margot and Clark Lybrand and Graham and Meryl Eberspeaker; his sister Carol Ludwig (Dave),brother Herb Heyne (Ruth) and sister-in-law Julianna Heyne; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Walt has been cremated, and his ashes will be united with those of his beloved wife of 73 years and distributed as his children decide. No public services are planned at this time.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the NWA Food Bank or the Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital Transplant Fund at https://www.foundationbarnesjewish.org/Give-Organ-Transplant.