Walters was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He studied law and received his JD from the
University of Miami School of Law in 1950. He practiced law in the private sector from 1950 to 1977. Walters held the title of
Master Knight of the Order of Malta. On July 6, 1977, he was appointed by President
Jimmy Carter as his envoy to the Holy See, a position he held until August 1978. In 1982, Ambassador Walters founded Miami Children's Health Foundation. Walters’ commitment to children's health and pediatric care for all children, led to the Foundation becoming one of the largest single donors to
Miami Children's Hospital. It has also helped fund more than 100
clinical studies at Nicklaus Children's Hospital Research Institute. On June 25, 1985, President
Ronald Reagan appointed him a member of the
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Commission. ==Personal life==