Funeral services for Walter Lawrence Luster Jr., will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 28, 2016, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with the Rev. Malcolm O’Leary officiating. Burial will follow at Lillian Luster Family Cemetery under the direction of  W. H. Jefferson Funeral Home.

A Rosary will be said Friday at the funeral home from 6 to 7 p.m.

Mr. Luster was born Oct. 12, 1933, in Vicksburg to Walter Lawrence Luster Sr. and Lillian Carrington Luster. He was the first of three children.

He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School, Vicksburg Public School, Utica Institute, and Alcorn College.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force in May 1952 and retired October 1976, with a rank of chief master sergeant. During his Air Force career he was stationed in Korea, Japan, North Africa,

Greenland, Thailand, Turkey, and several bases in the United States. Walter’s combat duty included serving with the 9th Fighter Squad, and the 49th and 355th Fighter Bomb Wings.

Walter served three campaigns including the Cuban Crises, and Southeast Asia, and received citations and awards including: Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal.

Mr. Luster was later employed with the United States Postal Service and retired from Waterways

Experiment Station after 15 years and numerous awards and achievement recognitions of service.

He lived a wonderful and full life. He enjoyed horseback riding, fishing, helping other people. His most prized hobby was restoring antique automobiles. He was a member of the Vicksburg

Cruisers (antique car ) Club for numerous years.

He leaves a legacy of strength, kindness, and love to his loving wife, Carolyn Luster, their three children, Shalonda Williams, of Byram, LaQuinta Williams Edison of Gulfport and Ricky Butler Jr., all of Vicksburg; their three grandchildren, Jamya Edison, Zaria Edison, and Jada Edison; sister, Anne Luster Vance of Pineville, La.; and a sister-in-law, Beulah Luster; and nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Lawrence Luster Sr. and Lillian C. Luster; a brother, Joe Arthur Luster Sr.; and his first wife Evelyn Luster.