Walter and Ruda Chapman both taught in the Jones County schools before their marriage. He studied law and passed the State Bar Examination. He was elected County Attorney of Jones County in 18989 and Judge of the 39th Judicial District in 1918. They lived in Anson until 1924, when he was appointed by Governor Pat Neff to the Supreme Court Commission of Appeals and they moved to Austin. In 1927 he was appointed by Governor Dan Moody as Judge of the newly-creative 104th District Court, to which office he was re-elected each four years until his voluntary retirement in 1940. He was highly regarded in judicial circles and held several honorary positions including membership in the Texas Civil Judicial Council. His portrait hangs in the Supreme Court corridors in the State Capitol. He and Ruda were both Masons.