Walter M. Pacheco took his last ride on Sept. 27, 2022. He was born on Aug. 26, 1951 to Enrique “Henry” Pacheco and Jennie “Pudgie” Montoya. He cherished his family, friends and loved his grandkids. Walter enjoyed pack trips on the horses, camping, Dutch oven cooking, hunting and fly fishing. He didn’t mind sleeping under the stars, using his saddle as a pillow. There wasn’t a horse he couldn’t break (except Rosie) or a slab of ribs he couldn’t smoke. Sundays were always filled with food, friends, laughter and whiskey. Most of all he loved his wife of 43 years, Theresa. Walter looked forward to his lunch dates along the route with her. Together they built a beautiful life at the ranch, with their three kids, Enrique, Arcenia and Anna. Not only was he a strong father figure of his own, but for so many others. He earned the respect of many and was not one to ever lose it. He was not a man of many words but when he spoke everyone listened. Walter enjoyed working for USFS at the Dutch Joe Lookout Tower, then BNSF for a short while, but it wasn’t for him. He was hired at Joe’s Glass, and worked for them for 18 years. He did all his work with pride and made sure it was always done right. Following Joe’s Glass, he was hired as a letter carrier at Winslow Post Office and continued to work there for 30 years. There was no address he didn’t know. We would test him with the phone book or The Reminder and he passed with flying colors. Walter had the longest walking route of 12 miles and enjoyed visiting with everyone along the way. He was involved in so many things and always wanted to learn more. He served in the 82nd Airborne, which encouraged him to continue skydiving. He was the founding member of the Winslow Falcons Skydiving Club and also very competitive in the Semi Pro Men’s League Baseball. Walter rode in the Hashknife Pony Express for five years and was one of the founding members of the Clear Creek Cowboys Association, where they ride from Winslow along Territorial Road to pass the mail to Holbrook. Walter was preceded in death by his father, Henry Pacheco; and his grandparents, Fidel and Arsenia Montoya. He is survived by his wife, Theresa Pacheco; son, Enrique Pacheco (Viviana Quintana); daughters. Arcenia Pacheco (JR Krusze) and Anna DeWitt (Dillon). Also to include Kearia, Kayla and Kenyel Lucero of Winslow. His grandchildren, Sasha, Socorro, Jaycee, McKenna, Alejandro, Kohlman, Remi and Quill. His mother, Pudgie Montoya; his “twin brother,” Squeaky Montoya; sisters, Ursula (Bill) Madden of Illinois, Lucy (Art) Rubi of Tempe, Carol Dawn and Diana Perez of Winslow. Walter leaves behind many nieces, nephews, Godchildren, friends from the route and compadres. Private services will be held. “Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.”- The Duke. Greer’s Mortuary of Winslow handled the arrangements.
