June 09, 2024

Jim and I knew Walt(and Barbara) thru working with them on a committee for the Philaldelphia District Church of the Nazarene. We were from the Oxford Church and they the West Chester Church. Jim and I send prayers and our condolences to your family.
Jim and Alice McGarvey

December 29, 2023

Walt and Barbara lived in Powhatan, Virginia which is a rural county near Richmond, Virginia.  They lived there in the early 1980’s and attended Richmond Southside Nazarene Church where we met them.  Walt and Barbara were dedicated lay volunteers involved in many different ministries and behind the scenes serving at many social events.  Valerie and I got to know them as the wonderful people they were.
At one fellowship meal, Walt heard me talking about my desire to move out to Powhatan. He asked if I would be interested in buying their home. I laughed at him as it was unthinkable given my high mortgage for my dental building, student loans, and debt service from purchasing the practice. He grinned widely and looked at me with his sparkling, playful eyes, and asked if I would be interested in listening to a deal.  I said, “Sure, but I can barely afford to pay my small house payment much less buy a house like yours in the country.”  He said, “Let me talk to Barbara and see what we can come up with.”
A week or so later, they invited us out to their rancher home with a separate garage on a 2-acre lot.  I remember thinking, “This is really nice but way out of our range.”  Barbara had done some figuring on a piece of paper and Walt asked me, “How much do you currently pay for your mortgage?”  I said, “$650.”  He looked at Barbara and smiled, “What if we kept your mortgage payment the same as you are paying at $650 now and then we’ll let you pay us the remainder later in the future?”  I said “What?! You are going to loan us a second mortgage loan of $20,000 just on our signature?”  
 This was almost 40 years ago, so those figures seem small now but they were huge then!  Walt and Barbara made it possible for us to afford to buy our dream home and pay them back years later.  We did pay them back as promised and will be forever grateful to them for taking that risk on us and blessing us in such a tangible way!
Walt then loved showing us around the place, especially his toy creation lab in the garage.  In there, he designed many toys that went on to become patented.  That room has since become our emergency food storage room.  Sorry, Walt!
I just recently purchased a 4-wheeler and cut some trails back in the woods just like Walt had done 40 years earlier.  I think about him almost every time I take my grandchildren for rides on those trails! 
Walt and Barbara were some of the best people we have ever met. We had the privilege of visiting them once in their Pennsylvania home and were so blessed to know them.  Heaven is richer.

December 08, 2023

Dear Helen, Beverly, Ruth and Carol:
I owe your dad (and mom) a great debt of gratitude for the kindness they poured out upon my family and me at a time of great need.  We are truly blessed to have experienced their care and generosity.  Allow me to thank your parents for giving me a place to hunt at the old farm there in Unionville when I was a teenager, and for allowing our family to live in their house there on Oak Rd in Unionville for three months, and for giving my dad a new job opportunity in plastics way down south in Memphis, and for the time they spent with me playing basketball there in their driveway, and for encouraging me, a very shy teenager, to be involved with quizzing and other youth group activities at the Park Avenue Church of the Nazarene, and allow me to thank them mostly for encouraging me to attend Trevecca, a place that truly transformed my whole way of being. Your parents helped mold and shape me and my family in ways I could not have imagined.   The move from West Chester to Memphis helped our family grow and mature and set me personally on a course of adventure that has stretched me beyond my wildest imagination. Your parents were amazing people. I am truly blessed to have known them (and you too). May their memory be eternal. 
With deepest sympathies,
Ed Blain

December 05, 2023

My fondest memory of Walt was on the golf course. One afternoon, unbeknownst to the others in our group, Walt had an old putter in his bag..on one of the greens he used and purposely missed the putt and threw the old putter in to the pond..we all stood there in disbelief as Walt laughed hysterically. He will be missed.
George Stevens

December 04, 2023

Beverly and Rick. So Sorry for your loss. Your family will be in my prayers.
Donna (Bair) Farmer

December 04, 2023

Carol, Dave and family,
So sorry to read of Walt’s passing.(We still get thee Lancaster newspaper.) Losing a parent is a such a major transition point in life – as you know. I know that his last years of life, surrounded by family were special for all of you. I am so sorry that we will be unable to be there for you in person, but we will be there in spirit.
Kathy & Curt McCaskey

December 02, 2023

One of my first memories of your dad meeting my dad. Dad and my uncle Ted were in your field behind our house walking to hunt. Your dad came up to them and asked if they knew the Lord Jesus and my uncle who converted to Catholicism yelled out Praise the Lord and so your dad so them go ahead and hunt
I’m so sorry for your loss but our sorrow is your gain to be in heaven worshipping Jesus with your mother. Praying for you on these days.
Sherry Verbeeck

December 01, 2023

Helen, Bev, Ruth and Carol:
Your dad transformed even serious situations into laughter with his wry wit. Generous was his middle name. He loved giving to others, as well as making them laugh. Most often, those who knew him best were his ‘victims’. He left behind him a persona no one else will duplicate. You loved him and his antics dearly.
What a difference seeing Jesus made when he was very ill preceding this last health crisis. He evidenced peace and happiness with life that were a tribute to what Jesus meant in his life. Undoubtedly, he’s smelling the flowers only heaven can offer as he waits for the rest of the family to join him. Jesus is THE only way, truth and life we can follow to reach heaven. What a day of rejoicing that will be when we all are reunited forever! 
No man on earth was more loved than he was by his girls! You were examples of the honor children ought to give their parents. You attended to his every need with care and concern. What a great heritage is yours! Thank you for sharing him with me over the years!