The body of the late former legislator Mr Cyril Lewis Walters, MBE, also known as Louis Walters, is currently lying in state today, Thursday, September 29, 2022, at the Sea Cows Bay Methodist Church ahead of his official funeral tomorrow. Photo: Team of Reporters

Mr Cyril Lewis Walters died on September 13, 2022, at the age of 87. Photo: GIS

Officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force take the casket bearing the body of the late former legislator Mr Cyril Lewis Walters into the Sea Cows Bay Methodist Church to lie in state. Photo: Team of Reporters

Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), other elected representatives and other Members of the House of Assembly (HoA) paid respects to the late C. Lewis Walters, MBE today, September 29, 2022. Photo: Team of Reporters

Late legislator, Cyril Lewis Walters will lie in state until 4:30 pm today ahead of the official funeral set tomorrow Friday, September 30, 2022. The legislator died on September 13 at the age of 87. Photo: GIS/Facebook

At the church, friends and family gathered ahead of RVIPF officers lifting the body into place to lie in state. Photo: GIS/Facebook

The body of Mr Cyril Lewis Walters, MBE will lie in state at Sea Cows Bay Methodist Church from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and, during this time, the public will have an opportunity to pay their last respects between 10:00 am and 4:30 pm. Photo: Team of Reporters

Mr Walters died on September 13, 2022, at the age of 87. 

The body will lie in state from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and, during this time, the public will have an opportunity to pay their last respects between 10:00 am and 4:30 pm.

Government officials already have paid their respects, led by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7).

Other persons paying respects included Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), Minister for Education and Sports Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL), Fourth District Representative Hon Mark H. Vanterpool, Leader of the Opposition Hon Julian Fraser RA, Opposition Member Hon Carvin Malone (AL) and Jr Minister for Trade and Economic Development Hon Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL).

Attorney General, Hon Dawn J. Smith also paid her final respects.

As part of the plans in place, transportation will be provided for persons traveling from Virgin Gorda and Jost van Dyke from the ferry terminals in Road Town and West End to the church and back. 

Teacher & legislator 

The late Mr Walters—an indigenous Virgin Islander—was originally from the sister island of  Virgin Gorda. Before he became a politician, the former Legislator and Minister taught for 34 years in many schools throughout the VI and contributed to developing the Virgin Islands’ human capital and, consequentially, the Territory’s development.

After serving in several schools in the Territory as Headteacher, including Jost van Dyke, in 1975 he became an Administrative Officer in the then Chief Minister’s Office and rose to the rank of Permanent Secretary.

He won two consecutive General Elections, in 1986 and 1990, on the VIP ticket, and represented the Eighth District in the then Legislative Council.

He also acted as Chief Minister in the absence of the late H. Lavity Stoutt on many occasions and was a dedicated member of the East End Methodist Church.

Official Funeral Friday, September 30, 2022

The official funeral for the late Mr Walters will take place on Friday, September 30, 2022. A procession will leave from the vicinity of Manuel Reef at 9:00 am and proceed to the Sea Cows Bay Methodist Church. According to a Government Press Release, anyone entering the church is required to wear a mask.

A pre-service is scheduled for 9:30 am on Friday with the funeral service following at 10:30 am. Interment will follow at Greenland Cemetery.

Official flags will be flown half-mast at all Government buildings on September 29 and 30, 2022.