News Ralph Waite, Actor Who Played The Father On The Waltons Dies at 85 By Yvette Stafford - February 13, 2014 0 1028 FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsAppLinkedinEmailPrint ©™2012 Nelson County Life : Photos By Woody Greenberg : Ralph Waite (L) who played John Walton stands next to Earl Hamner, Jr. (Nelson County, VA native from Schuyler) who founded and wrote the CBS television series The Waltons. Waite played Hamner's father in the television series based on his childhood experiences in Nelson County, VA. ©™2012-2014 Blue Ridge Life : Photo By BRL Photog/Writer Woody Greenberg : Ralph Waite (L) who played John Walton stands next to Earl Hamner, Jr. (Nelson County, VA native from Schuyler) who founded and wrote the CBS television series The Waltons. Waite played Hamner’s father in the television series based on his childhood experiences in Nelson County, VA. This was from a 2012 reunion of the cast. Ralph Waite died at age 85 on February 13, 2014 – He played the television father of Earl Hamner who is from Nelson County, VA where the series got its inspiration. Post by Blue Ridge Life Magazine.