By Karen Andrew
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Mr. Walters

Donald Joseph Walters, a designer of many of Cincinnati's large and brightly illuminated electronic signs and message centers, died Nov. 18 of cancer at Christ Hospital.

The 63-year-old Hyde Park man was credited with such signs as "Cinergy Field" that circles the top of the soon-to-be-imploded stadium; the orange "Broadwing" on the side of the Cincinnati Bell building; the giant red "PNC Bank" atop the old Central Trust/PNC tower's four sides and the original Kings Island sign before the amusement park was purchased by Paramount.

"Don Walters not only lit up our life, he lit up our city," said his son, Mark Walters of Mount Adams. "For over 35 years, he impacted the skyline of our city with the signs he designed."

Bill Brown, a long-time friend, said a sign in Mr. Walters office reflected words that defined his life: "Never Be Satisfied, Never Stop - Don't Even Slow Down."

"I don't know where he got it (the sign) or how long he had it, but I knew that this philosophy was how he became Cincinnati's leading sign designer and salesman," Mr. Brown said. "Don was a part of some really big transactions here in our city. He stayed on top of new developments; he knew of renovations."

Mr. Brown said Mr. Walters was never boastful.

"He was savvy, he was smooth, he was resourceful, and he was a true businessman. His legacy will live on in the lights of Cincinnati."

Mr. Walters was born in Cincinnati in 1938 to Celia and Joseph Walters.

A 1957 Elder High School graduate, he earned a bachelor's degree in industrial design from University of Cincinnati's design and architectural planning program in 1962.

He served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant and participated in the Vietnam War aboard the USS Canberra, a guided missile heavy cruiser.

In 1963, he married April Hughey of Green Township.

"He was the nicest guy you'd ever meet. He was the light of my life," Mrs. Hughey said.

After his discharge from the Navy in 1965, Mr. Walters began working for AT&T. He and his family lived in a number of cities - including Detroit, Cleveland and Indianapolis - but returned to Cincinnati and made it their home.

Mr. Walters then began working as a sign designer and salesman for United Signs Inc. of Camp Washington.

He loved spending his time outdoors, especially with his son, who owns a fly-fishing and hunting store in Hyde Park. He was a bird hunter and fly fisherman.

He also loved to be with family and friends and enjoyed traveling, especially family vacations on Nantucket Island in Massachusetts.

In addition to his wife of 39 years and his son, Mr. Walters' survivors include a daughter, Tiffany Hedge of Wyoming, and a granddaughter.

Services were held.

Memorials: St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 332 N. Lauderdale Street, Memphis, TN 38105.

E-mail kandrew@enquirer.com