Walter James Wilson passed peacefully on February 5, 2022 at the age of 88.

He was predeceased by his wife, Lucille; son, Michael; and granddaughter, Jordin.  Walt is survived by his sister, Kay; brother-in-law, Don; daughters: Robinne (Jim), Una, and Marian (Steve); daughter-in-law, Liesel; grandchildren:  Jillian (Bob), Daniel, Darcee, Katlyn, Samara, and Bode; great-grandson, Wyatt; and close companions:  Mac, Barb, and Larry.

Walt was born to Lorne and Alberta Wilson on December 14, 1933 in Carstairs, Alberta.  He was younger brother to Lois and Reta with younger sisters Una and Kay to follow.

A pivotal moment for Walt occurred when he was only 4 years old.  He fell from a feed mill bolted to a stone boat, gouging his head.  While his dad was carrying him to the car, Walt was concerned about the blood ruining his dad’s leather coat.  He had to relearn how to walk and talk so he didn’t actually begin school until age 7. He attended Tan-Y-Bryn, a one room school, until Grade 4 when he and his siblings transferred to school in town.  Walt loved living in Carstairs during this time and had great memories of playing hockey with the boys and delivering groceries on his bike for the local red and white grocer.

Walt married Lucille Teresa Steffler on June 4, 1955 and their first daughter, Robinne Lynne, was soon born.  He was holding Robinne the night he answered the door, learning that his sister Una was killed in an automobile crash.  Her loss affected him his entire life, even prompting him and Lucille to name their next daughter Una Joyce.  Michael Lorne, their third child and only boy, followed and the family was completed with a third daughter, Marian Kim.

Walter had planned to be a heavy machinery operator for his in-laws’ construction company, but his dad had a heart attack and wasn’t even able to attend Walt and Lucille’s wedding.  Consequently, Walt was needed on the farm so he seemed destined to be a farmer.  As Grandpa’s presence lessened, he branched out into dairy, milking Holsteins for many years and adding pigs a little later.  He loved having visitors stopping for coffee, a visit, and some fresh milk.  Walt eventually decided he wanted a life, selling the dairy and moving up the hill to become a beef and grain farmer which he did until he retired.

Known as Grampa Tease, all who knew him can attest to his penchant for giving those around him a hard time, always with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.  Walt enjoyed getting teased just as much and could more than take what he dished out.

Walt loved to camp.  Sitting in front of a bonfire while savouring a roasted wienie was the bee’s knees.  Great memories were made at Keiver’s Lake with friends and family.  One of his favourite trips was when he and Lucille went to Alaska with their fifth wheel, accompanied by several other couples and their trailers.

Walter suffered two great losses in his retired years.  After several years of being Mom’s primary care-giver, he lost her in 2010.  The second was in 2018 with Mike’s death.  It was a blow that left him with a constant void.  He and Mike were tight and among a million other things, Walt still mourned the loss of the 10:00 pm call Mike made to him each evening.

 

Many kids living east of Carstairs remember Walt as their bus driver.  He began driving bus because he was concerned for his kids’ safety after their bus went into the ditch.  He was told by the man in charge, “Why don’t you drive then?”  So he did, and he loved it.  Young people to tease, knowing his children had a skillful driver and coffee every morning with the other drivers made it a dream.

Just like with the bus, when someone was in need, he was there.  Walt chauffeured people anywhere, anytime, and for any reason.  He shared his time, tools, and expertise for countless projects.  Neighbours knew they could count on him without exception.  The list could go on and on.

Though Walt would claim that Lucille was the animal lover, his favourite time of year was during calving.  Who else had a bull that would put his head down when he saw Walt, not to charge but to get a scratch?  When he thought no one was listening, Walt greeted every cat he encountered, and he certainly never let Bernie (the greatest dog of all time) go by without a pat and a word.  Additionally, would someone who thought animals were just animals get a whole herd of sheep just because the little orphaned lamb in his care was lonely?

We hope that Walt is having a coffee and catching up with all of his loved ones who passed before him.   May he continue to tease and be teased.

A come and go celebration of his life will be held on June 4, 2022 (tentatively) beginning at 2:00 pm at West Ridge Farms, Robinne and Jim Hurt’s farm west of Crossfield.  Please join us.

• Date : 2022-02-05
• Location : Red Deer Funeral Home