Professor Emeritus of Geography, Walters taught at Illinois State University for many years. His research explores diverse aspects of Central Illinois from an historical geographer’s perspective. Traveling the highways and byways, Walters examined past and present rural land use, small town locations and layouts, housing styles, brick and tile making and more.

He authored The Heart of the Cornbelt: An Illustrated History of Corn Farming in McLean County (1997); Historic Buildings of McLean County 1830-1914 (1977); and co-authored Commentary on a Corn Belt Countryside with Michael Sublett and Southard Modry (1973).

Raised in Royal Oak, Michigan, Walters earned a PhD from Indiana University.