Walter Lankester Harders

Walter Lankester Harders was born on Thursday, April 16th, 1942 in Winchester, West Virginia to Florence and Walter Otto Harders. He peacefully passed on Saturday, April 2nd, 2022, surrounded by his family just two weeks before his 80th birthday. 

Walter is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Barbara Kay (Change), and his seven children: Walter Scott Harders (Gretchen), Dawn Ford (William), Gregory Harders (Amy), Jennifer Ouellet, Faith McKinnis (John), Angela Harders, and Joshua Harders (Andres). Astoundingly, he is survived by seventeen grandchildren: Walter Jacob Harders (Jennifer), Jessica Woo (Jonathan), Austin McKinnis (Grace), William Harders, Meagan Ford, Grace Harders, Matthew Harders, Claire Harders, Brendan Harders, Andrew McKinnis, Justine Ouellet, Kayleigh McKinnis, Ian Harders, Jade Ouellet, Alastair McKinnis, Sophia Harders, and Benjamin Ramirez-Harders. Additionally, he is survived by four great-grandchildren: Claire Harders, Darcy Woo, Walter Chester Harders, and another granddaughter due any day.

Walter is preceded in death by his parents, Florence and Walter Otto Harders, and his infant son, Robert Todd Harders. 

Walter was a man who dearly loved the Lord and dedicated his life to serving God through his church and various ministries. He served on the Board of Directors for Living Word Church for 12 years, and he also served as a Minister for the Living Word Church's Marriage Ministry. 

Walter was also passionate about protecting the lives of the unborn and served as Vice-President on the Board of Directors for Rockville Pregnancy Center for 20 years. 

In addition, Walter was the President of the Full Gospel Businessmen's Association, an organization committed to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ through business. 

Walter was active in his community volunteering season after season as a soccer, baseball, and softball coach for his children and hundreds of other children in the community. 

His professional career began in 1973 as an Insurance Agent with New York Life Insurance Company. In 1986, he founded Harders Financial Group, Inc., alongside his wife, Barbara, serving over two thousand clients. He won many awards throughout his career, including the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table Lifetime Award. He retired in 2011 with over 38 years of service. 

A viewing is scheduled for Monday, April 11th, from 3 pm - 7 pm at Borgwardt Funeral Home. Services will be held on Tuesday, April 12th, at 10 am at Living Word Church. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Rockville Women's Center (12530 Parklawn Drive, #170, Rockville, MD 20852) or Whispering Hope Women's Resource & Pregnancy Center (133 Samaritan Drive, Suite 306, Cumming, GA 30040).

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