Walter J. Thompson's Obituary
Walter J. Thompson, age 78, passed away early Saturday morning, March 26, 2005, at Crystal River Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Walter was the oldest, and only son, of seven children born to the late Walter E. and Lenora (Wilde) Thompson. He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Norma Thompson, Janice Sweeney and Phyllis Buck. Walter graduated from Waupaca High School in 1945 and joined the United States Navy in 1946. He toured on the USS Bremerton and USS Duluth from 1946 to 1948. On March 1, 1952 he married Jean Ann Burns and they just celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary together. Walt and Jean have five children, two sons and three daughters. Many will remember Walter the best as the Pepsi-Cola man, as he worked for Pepsi-Cola for almost 30 years. Upon retirement in 1989, he worked part-time for Heier’s Trucking; read meters with Jean for Waushara Electric, and helped out at the local food pantry. Walt & Jean have been members of Parfreyville United Methodist Church for over 40 years and received the Heritage Award in 2002 for their many years of dedication and family service to the church. Wally loved the outdoors, hunting & fishing with his sons, Ed & Chuck, and grandson, Christopher, gardening, cutting wood and most of all just to putter in his tractor shed with his Allis Chalmers with polkas playing on his little radio. Born and raised on a farm, it truly was his passion in life. He instilled these beliefs in all of his children and trained them early on by putting them to work in the pickle patch and potato fields every year. Jr. also loved to play cards (cribbage, sheepshead & pinochle) with all of his family. Walter is survived by his wife, Jean. and their five children: Edward (Sonja) Thompson, Milwaukee, Laurie (Dennis) Lear, Waupaca, Brenda (John) Hewitt, Waupaca, Charles (Sarah) Thompson, Waupaca and Melissa (Michael) Fenn, Iola. He is further survived by a very special nephew, Gary (Lyn) Burns, Menasha; three sisters: Crystal (Dale) Barlow, Waupaca; Violet (Lloyd) Wanty, Waupaca; and Irma (Robert) Miller, New Hampshire; nine grandchildren, two great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Friends and family may call from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 29, 2005 at Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca or one hour prior to the service to be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 30, 2005 also at Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca. Pastor Aaron Soto, Charles Thompson and Brenda Hewitt will officiate at the service. Burial will be held at a future date in the Crystal Lake Cemetery, Waupaca. A memorial fund has been established.
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