Walter Doyle Caldwell

Walter Doyle Caldwell was born December 24, 1940 in Oilton, Oklahoma to Charley Frank and Beulah Daisy (Sanders) Caldwell. He was the 6th child of 8 born to Charley and Beulah. He passed from this life December 26, 2011 at Hillcrest Care Center in Wray, Colorado joining his wife, Linda, his parents, one sister, Florence and brothers, Edward and Frankie.

Walter served in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division from September 1956 to December 1957. He was a member of the American Legion Post #0020 in Coffeyville, Kansas.

In July of 1969, Walter was united in marriage to Madeline Caroline Smith and to this union two children were born, James Dean and Kristi LeAnn.

Walter later married Linda Jean Jones.

He worked at various jobs over the years and retired as a city maintenance worker in Grove, Oklahoma.

In 2009, Walter received his Native American name of “Big Hawk” from the Mother of the Tribe, Autumn Sky, and was a member of the United Indian Nation and an honored member of the Warrior Society.

The Warrior Society nomination reads “Welcome Walter Doyle Big Hawk Caldwell, into the United Indian Nation Warrior Society. I, Autumn Sky, feel very honored to congratulate you as a honored Warrior Society Member. Yes, honored warrior you were nominated by two people in your life that love and respect you for the man they know you to be and the man you are to your fellowman. Today you were nominated by Deb Shaded Deer Schorzman and Bud Lee Thunder Wolf Caldwell. Blessings to all you kin. Big Hawk is a brother to Sky Eagle (Edward), Watching Bear (Frankie), Drifting Cloud,  (Shirley), Signing Dove (Donna), and Big Bear (Bobby). He is the father of Thinking Hawk (James) and Medicine Wolf (Kristi) and the grandfather of Rain Lily (Kristina) and Snow Bear (Kenton).

In 2011, Walter Big Hawk was made an Honorary Chief in the Four Sacred Nations.

He leaves to celebrate his life, his son, James Dean Caldwell of Roundrock, Texas, his daughter, Kristi and husband, Kyle Naval of Chugiak, Alaska, two grandchildren, Kristina and Kenton. His sisters, Shirley and Frank Smith of Wray, Colorado and Donna and Jesse Joplin of Coffeyville, Kansas, one brother, Bobby and Sue Caldwell of Maud, Oklahoma and sister-in-law, Wanda Caldwell of Eagan, Minnesota. He also leaves numerous cousins, nieces and nephews all of whom loved him dearly.

Funeral services were held Friday, December 30, 2011, 10:00 a.m. at the Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home in Wray, Colorado with Rev. Harold Jackson officiating. Interment was held in the Grandview Cemetery in Wray, Colorado. Memorials may be made to the Leukemia research Foundation, 3520 Lake Avenue, Suite #202, Wilmette, IL  60091-1064.  Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.