Nashville –

Walter "Wayne" Harper, age 73, passed away Thursday, March 6, 2025. He was born in Nash County on August 7, 1951. He answered his country's call and served honorably in the United States Army and Marine Corp. He was well known as a thoughtful neighbor who had a passion for gardening and sharing his bounty of delicious fruits and vegetables with friends and neighbors.

Walter was preceded in death by his father, Adrian Eugene Harper; mother, Anne Pope; brothers, Thomas Harper and Lee Harper and step-sisters, Susan Pope, Becky Pope and Joceil Pope Braswell.

He is survived by his wife of almost fifty years, Sheila Everette Harper; son, Walter W. Harper, Jr. (Tiffany) of Rocky Mount; brother, Dwight Harper (Layne) of Roper; sister, Margaret Davis of Greensboro; grandchildren, Cameron, Matthew and Brody Harper; step-brothers, Gray Pope (Jan) of Nashville and Mike Pope of Florida; along with several nieces, nephews and other extended relatives.

A private memorial will be held at a later date.