Walter Neil Castleberry, Jr.

On Thursday, February 20, 2020, Walter Neil Castleberry, Jr., of Longview, WA, passed away at home. He was 72.  Neil was born on May 4, 1947, in Crossett, Arkansas, to Neil, Sr. and Hattie (Jarvis) Castleberry.  On May 26, 1967, he married his childhood sweetheart, Alice Ann Teague.  They raised one daughter, Karie Ann.  Neil joined the Army Reserves in Monticello, AR in 1966.  He later transferred to the National Guard Reserves in Crossett, AR where he served out his commitment.  Neil began his career in 1968 as an electrical helper for Georgia Pacific in Crossett.  By the time he left GP in 1979, he was the Electrical foreman.  He then started with North Pacific Paper Corporation in Longview, Washington, in 1979, as Maintenance Supervisor.  By the time he retired in 2008, he was the Electrical Maintenance Manager for the mill.  He enjoyed a very successful career. Neil was known as a man of few words, but one whose wise counsel and expertise was often sought and appreciated by colleagues.  He was very well regarded.  He was a weather enthusiast and enjoyed taking road trips.  He adored his grandchildren.  Nothing made him happier than good music, good company, and a double shot of bourbon.  

Neil was preceded in death by his father, Neil, Sr., his mother, Hattie Mae, and his sister, Nancy Josephine Harris.  He is survived by his wife, Alice, of Longview, WA; daughter Karie Ann (Ken) Taylor of Olympia, WA; grandchildren Emma Mae Rathke, Seattle, WA; Nicholas Taylor, Olympia, WA; Andrew (Christina Marx) Taylor, Brooklyn, N.Y.; and “bonus grandchildren,” Jessica Brown, Seattle, WA; and Riley Borselli, Seattle, WA; beloved nephew, William C. Watson, III, Savannah, GA, and many cousins.  

Visitation and viewing on Friday, March 6th, from 10:00-12:00 at Jones Funeral Home in Crossett, AR.  Graveside service at Pinewood Memorial Park at 1 o’clock pm.  Reception to follow at Beech Street Bistro.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Walter Neil Castleberry, Jr., please visit our floral store.