Knight Walter Grate came into this world on September 19, 1932 in McClellanville, SC where he was raised for the first fourteen years of his life. His family then moved to Charleston, SC and Walter attended Immaculate Conception Catholic School and then Burke High School graduating in June 1953. Walter enlisted in the United States Air Force June 15, 1953. He spent twenty-one years honorable service protecting and defending his country. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam, four years in Germany, three years in Japan and one year in Greenland. The rest of his service was spent in the United States. He was the recipient of the following awards: Bronze Star- The Air Force Commendation medal, The Army Good Conduct Medal, The Air Force Conduct Medal and the National Defense Medal. After twenty years of dedicated services, he retired from the United States Air Force in 1974 as a Security Police Tech Sargent. Walter then returned to South Carolina with his family desiring to be in his hometown surrounded by his loved ones, friends and family. After returning home, Walter worked as a warehouseman for the Charleston County School District for twenty years, retiring in June 1995. Walter married his high school sweetheart, the former Thelma Mitchell, on June 6, 1953. They celebrated over 50 years of love and marriage until her passing in 2007. Together they raised three daughters: Consitter (deceased), Annette and Ida (deceased) and have twelve grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren. Walter became a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in 1950. He served as an usher, was a member of The Men's Gulid and the Knights of Peter Claver, Saint Peter Council #110 where he held the offices of Recording Secretary and Treasurer for ten years. During this time, he was Chaplin at the 2001 National Convention where he received the Silver Medal Award. Knight Walter Grate departed this world on September 2, 2014 while surrounded by his loving family. His memory will live on in the hearts of his beloved daughter, Annette Profit (h. Rodney); his grandchildren Ilov Grate, Unique Grate, Ernest Brown, Diffran Grate, Regina Grate, Iman Mincey, Zimone Mincey, Denel Grate, Ulysses Grate; Alfreda Brown, Tyera Davis and Grate Profit, great-grandchildren, siblings Mr. Willie Simmons, Jr., Mr. James Simmons, Ms. Evelyn Simmons, Ms. Lille Mae Howell and Ms. Pearl Williams, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.