Walters mother died when he was three years old. he was raised by the dean family so he took there last name. the dean family moved to Harlem and Myers became a fan of reading. he knew his foster parents might not be able to send him to college so we dropped out of high school and enlisted in the army. after being discharged from the army he went to many jobs to pay for college. he went to college at empire state college. the book fallen angles was inspired by his service in the army. after the army Myers worked loading truck for a post office.