Walter Archibald McKellar was born on November 17, 1938, in Meridian, Mississippi, to Christine Newell McKellar and Douglas McKellar. He grew up in Meridian, graduated from Meridian High School, and after a year at Millsaps College, transferred to Mississippi State University, where he earned his degree in accounting in 1961.

Walter worked in accounting in Meridian for three years before marrying Louise Moore in 1965 and moving to Senatobia, the move that shaped the rest of his life.

In Senatobia, he stepped into the demanding role of working under his father-in-law, M.P. Moore, at his premier cattle operation. He learned the job from the ground up, and it didn't take long to see that this was what he was called to do. After many years working with the cattle and managing the ranch, he took over the farm and eventually all the bookkeeping as well as running the entire operation. He shared his love for the cattle with his children, Walt, Anne Louise, and Rosy, and together the family cared for and showed cattle across the country. Today, his son Walt and wife Jil, along with grandson Canan, carry on the work at CMR.

Walter was known for his sense of humor, his gregarious personality, and his deep love for his family. He wrote beautiful letters of love and appreciation to friends and family. He loved hosting friends and family at their lodge home outside Senatobia.

In the days since his passing, friends and family have described him as wonderful, unique, special, a force of life, an amazing man, one of a kind, and one of their very favorite people.

Walter said his greatest gift in life was his family and friends. In his own words: "I have been blessed with many more than I ever deserved. They have made my life complete and enabled me to attain far more than I would have ever made on my own. The greatest gift was my marriage to a saint who gave me love, devotion, and instructions. She also found time to give me three beautiful and devoted children, who gave me my most precious gift, eight perfect grandchildren, whom I will always consider my greatest success."

Walter’s service included:

·       National Board of Directors, American Polled Hereford Association

·       President, Mississippi Polled Hereford Association (3 years)

·       President, Tate County Cattlemen's Association (3 years)

·       Tate County Gin Board of Directors (5 years)

·       Tate County Farm Bureau (50 years)

·       Peoples Bank Board of Directors (8 years)

·       First Horizon Board of Directors (3 years)

·       Magnolia Heights School Board of Directors
 

He received many awards and recognition for his success in business:

Outstanding Service as President, Mississippi Polled Hereford Association, 1980–1983

Leadership Award, American Polled Hereford Association, Southeast Regional Director, 1990–1994

Outstanding Service, Tate County Cattlemen's Association, 1995–1997

Outstanding, Tate County–Senatobia Chamber of Commerce, 1989

Mississippi Commercial Cattleman of the Year, 1996, Mississippi Cattlemen's Association

Mississippi Cattlemen's Hall of Fame, 2002

Outstanding Cooperator for Accomplishment in Soil and Water Conservation

Tate and DeSoto County Cattlemen's Association Hall of Fame, 2025

Walter was an avid sports fan and a loyal Mississippi State Bulldog. He also loved coaching baseball. Before moving to Senatobia, he coached Little League in Meridian and took the first team from Meridian to a state championship. He won state championships in 1961 and 1963. After moving to Senatobia, he coached his son Walt and led the first local team to a state tournament. He and Cam Spencer rebuilt the old baseball field on Southern Street, a labor of love that gave a generation of Senatobia kids a place to play the game he loved.

Walter is survived by his wife, Louise Moore McKellar; his son, Walt McKellar (Jil); his daughters, Anne Louise Greer (Jason) and Rosy McKellar; his grandchildren, McKellar Greer, Canan McKellar (Reagan), Pierce Greer (Kendall), Douglas Howard, Cade McKellar, Gray McKellar, Jack Greer, and Larson Howard; and his brother, William McKellar (Diane).

 Memorials may be sent to a charity of the donor's choice.