Montgomery County board chairman Walters dies after struggle with cancer

PHOTOGRAPHER: John Enger

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The head of Montgomery County government died Monday morning.

County Board of Supervisors Chairman and Charleston Town Supervisor Shayne Walters died at a 11:20 a.m. after a months-long struggle with cancer. He was 49.

“It was very rapid,” said his mother, Jean Walters, “No one expected it. We all thought he was doing so well.”

Walters was diagnosed with colon cancer in January, undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatments in the months since. Jean said the radiation helped, giving the family hope, but the chemotherapy overcame his weakened system.

An ambulance took him to Basset Medical Center in Cooperstown Sunday night.

“We were there all night,” Jean Walters said, recounting how many doctors tried to save him in the morning. “It took him in a few hours.”

Walters leaves behind his wife, Laurie, and two children.