Richard "Rich" Frank Walton II

Richard “Rich” Frank Walton II was born in Holden, Massachusetts, the fourth child of six to the late Dr. Richard Frank and Susan Walton. He passed away peacefully at his home in Asheville, NC with family by his side on September 4, 2024. He was 60 years old and had lived with brain cancer for an extended time.

Rich graduated from Asheville High School in 1982. He immediately set out on a solo road trip to Alaska in an old Volkswagen Beetle to make a million dollars and read the Bible. He did neither, but did give his life to Jesus after meeting a believing coworker in a bagel bakery. That trip was life-changing and the source of memories and adventure stories that Rich entertained friends and family with for the rest of his life.   

Rich returned to Asheville a year later to enroll at UNC Asheville where he graduated with his Bachelor’s degree. He worked briefly at a home for troubled youth, then moved to Philadelphia to live with dear friends as they started their family. It was there that he got a job at Classic Auto Body and discovered his passion for working with his hands and making broken things new. After three years in Pennsylvania, Rich moved to Wisconsin to work at Rawhide Boys’ Ranch, where he met one of his best lifelong friends. 

In late 1993, Rich returned to Asheville, again enjoying work at a local auto body shop. During this time he met Lerenda Purvis, and they married in 1997. They have four children: Elizabeth (24), Mary (21), Mark (18) and Anna Jeanett (15). 

The rest of his career was spent in construction, real estate and home repairs. His clients appreciated his meticulous work, kind manner, and good humor. He was known for being a gentle and caring soul, the first to apologize and the first to jump up to help. Rich had an artistic eye and was fascinated with details that went unnoticed by most everyone else, which was reflected in his passion for photography as well as precision in his work. Whether in work or life, he made the most of mundane moments and built relationships alongside projects.  

Rich wrote beautifully; personal letters and stories were filled with both wit and wisdom and never too much of either. He had many loves, his first being his Heavenly Father, followed closely by his wife, who he lovingly referred to as “Dream Babe.”  He fiercely loved his kids and found so much joy in watching them grow into their own people with specific passions and experiences. 

He is survived by his wife, Lerenda Joy Walton; four children, Elizabeth Ren Walton, Mary Ruth Walton, Mark Robert Walton, and Anna Jeanett Walton; his siblings, Laurie Walton (Dave Frey), Elinor Bridges (Ricky), Marion Lent (Jeffrey), Robert Walton (Flor Elena Galan-Amaro), and Diane “Dizy” Walton (Sarah Thach); Uncles Garner McNett (Louise) and Jim McNett (Boon Keng Woo); and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.  

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center or Amigos for Christ Clean Water Project. 

A celebration of life service honoring Rich will be held on Saturday, September 14 2:00 pm at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 17 Shawnee Trail, Asheville, NC 28805, with reception to follow. The link for live-stream is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85334611675?pwd=QU9aNk1VcTNRckdneUdhKzRlTXlQQT09#success.

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