Service held for Walter Everett Key

Walter Everett Key, 82, of McAlester, died Monday, May 17, at his home in McAlester. Viewing was Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services were Thursday, May 20, at 2:00 p.m. at Brumley-Mills Funeral Home Chapel in McAlester. Committal services were private. Pallbearers were Walter’s grandchildren, Krista Loudermilk, Cody Key, Magen Evans, Stephen Key, Jonathan Key, Haley McFarland, and Kacie Kohler. Honorary pallbearers were his great-grandchildren, Alyssa Loudermilk, Eleanor Key, Penelope Key, and Elijah Evans.

Walter Key was born on March 27, 1939 in Cottonwood, Okla. to Walter Mac Key and Alma (Ingram) Key. He grew up in Centrahoma and completed his education at Oklahoma State University. He and Helen Marie Thomas were married on April 19, 1958 in Durant. She preceded him in death on May 17, 1917.

They moved to McAlester in 1967 and started the Key Brothers and Associates Engineering and Surveying. Walter was active in the business until retiring just a few years ago when his health became an issue. Walter was a member of the Oklahoma Society of Land Surveyors and the Missouri Association of Registered Land Surveyors. Walter loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter. He also liked to work on old cars and was a licensed pilot and loved to fly his plane wherever he needed to go.

Walter is survived by his children, Greg Key of McAlester, Dennis Ray Key and wife Michal of Cement, Ok, and Kimberly Janel (Key) McFarland and husband Ken of Owasso; grandchildren, Krista Loudermilk, Cody Key, Magen Evans, Stephen Key, Jonathan Key, Haley McFarland, and Kacie Kohler; great-grandchildren, Alyssa Loudermilk, Eleanor Key, Penelope Key, and Elijah Evans; a brother, Jack Key of Muskogee; and two sisters, Wanda Chaney of Kingston and JoAnn Watson of Ardmore. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, two brothers, and four sisters.