Walter Clifford Peterson

On Sunday, January 4, 2026 God called Walter home.  The family will receive guests from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, January 9, 2026 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.  Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel, with interment following at Resthaven Memorial Park.  A reception will follow at the Branch at npw.

Walter C. Peterson was born on January 2, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois.  He graduated from Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in Geology and minored in Mathematics.  He worked as an Exploration Geologist for several mining companies across the western states.  He worked for Duval Mining Company, Union Carbide and Gold Fields Mining Company.  In Midland, Texas he worked as a store manager for 7-11 stores.  He was also a little league coach for eight years.

Wally was married to Mary B. Peterson on November 20, 1971.  They were married for fifty-four happy years.  The exploration of minerals: copper, silver and gold took them to many different places in Arizona and Texas and looking for phosphate in Florida.  They lived in Tucson, Arizona while exploring for copper, then on to a project in Oregon and Washington state.  Wally was an active member of the Methodist Church for over 50 years.  Most recently he was a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Midland.

Walter is survived by his wife, Mary; son, Michael Peterson and daughter-in-law, Amanda, his grandchildren, Satchel Peterson and Sioban Peterson, all of Tampa Bay, Florida.  He has three brothers, John, Dale and Tim Sonnenberg, all originally from Chicago, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 n Wally’s name or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Walter Clifford Peterson, please visit our Tribute Store.