On the evening of June 13th, 2016 Edward William Walter Jr. “Ed” passed away peacefully of natural causes. He is no longer suffering from his long battle of Multiple Sclerosis. Ed was comforted by his children at Rocky Mountain Healthcare in Helena, MT at the time of his passing. Ed was 68 years old.
Ed was born in Billings, MT on December 13th, 1947. He was the son of the late Edward William Walter Sr. and Mary Louise Piper.
Ed moved to Helena and later married Deborah Ann House on September 20th, 1969 at St. Peter’s Pro-Cathedral. They went on to have 3 beautiful children, Stephen, Stephanie and Kimberley. They later divorced on December 3rd, 1993.
Ed attended various grade schools, 9th grade at Helena Middle School and sophomore and junior year at Helena Senior High School. Ed skipped his senior year to join the Army, later obtaining his GED. He enlisted in the Army December 27th, 1965. He served as a door gunner in a Huey Helicopter in Vietnam. He then joined the Army National Guard where he performed various duties in aviation. He retired as a staff sergeant March 6th, 1989 after 23 years of service. While in the National Guard he was also a member of the Honor Guard. After retiring from the Army National Guard, Ed worked at the East Helena School District, and the City of Helena.
Ed volunteered his time for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10010 as a Post Quartermaster, Cub and Boy Scout leader for Troop #211 at the Rock Hut in East Helena, The East Helena Volunteer Fire Department, and coached various youth sports teams.
Ed enjoyed camping and boating with friends and family, hunting and fishing with his father Roman, Uncle Bud, his son and friends. He enjoyed playing softball for the Clancy Bar, NASCAR and stock car racing. ”Fast Eddie”owned and drove car #3H, a `64 Chevy Malibu. After racing himself, he pit crewed for friends and fellow drivers. Once retired he bought his dream car, a corvette where he enjoyed traveling the beautiful state of Montana.
Ed is preceded in death by his father Roman Fink, mother Mary Lou Fink, father Edward W. Walter Sr. and Uncle Bud Piper.
Ed is survived by his children, Son Stephen Walter, Daughter’s Stephanie Walter, and Kim (Russ) Ring. Sister’s Kristine (Steve) Campbell and their children Scott Leischner, Cheryl Wilkinson, Jennifer Davis and Kelly Cooper. Connie (Rich) Janzer and their children Scott and Richie Janzer. Grandchildren Derek and Delanie Walter & Kylee, Madison, and Allison Ring.
There will be a viewing held Sunday June 19th, 2016 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. Viewing for the public will begin at 1 p.m. with the family joining friends from 2-4 p.m. The service will be held at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home located at 3750 N. Montana Ave. in Helena , MT Monday June 20th, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. Burial services with full military honors will immediately follow the service at St. Ann’s Cemetery off Highway 12 in East Helena. Reception will then follow (food provided) in the basement of the VFW in East Helena. Memorial donations suggested to VFW Post 10010 Ladies Auxiliary, P.O. Box 178, East Helena, MT 59635.
The family would like to give special thanks to the dedicated staff at Rocky Mountain Healthcare in the last year’s of his life. Frontier Hospice, Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, and special care giver Nettie Thompson.
Family condolences may be sent to P.O. Box 723 in East Helena, MT 59635.
“Dad, we hope you are enjoying a Coke a smoke and telling some jokes!”
Service Schedule
Viewing
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Sunday June 19, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena , MT 59602
Family Receiving Friends
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Sunday June 19, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena , MT 59602
Funeral Service
10:00 am
Monday June 20, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena , MT 59602
Graveside Service
Following the Funeral Service
Monday June 20, 2016
St. Anns Cemetery
1181 E Clark St
East Helena , MT 59635
Funeral Reception
Following the Graveside
Monday June 20, 2016
VFW East Helena Post 10010
117 W. Main Street
East Helena , MT 59635
Service Schedule
Viewing
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Sunday June 19, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena , MT 59602
Family Receiving Friends
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Sunday June 19, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena , MT 59602
Funeral Service
10:00 am
Monday June 20, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena , MT 59602
Graveside Service
Following the Funeral Service
Monday June 20, 2016
St. Anns Cemetery
1181 E Clark St
East Helena , MT 59635
Funeral Reception
Following the Graveside
Monday June 20, 2016
VFW East Helena Post 10010
117 W. Main Street
East Helena , MT 59635
Cottss says
He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,
and he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done.
In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, everyone.
And ‘tho sometimes to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
all his buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we’ll hear his tales no longer, for ol’ Eddie has passed away,
and the world’s a little poorer, for a soldier died today.
He won’t be mourned by many, just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary, very quiet sort of life.
He held a job and raised a family, quietly going on his way;
and the world won’t note his passing; ‘tho a Soldier died today.
God bless you Eddie, you were one terrific guy! Meet me at the gate,
we’ll have a cold one and talk about the summer of ’68!
Steve Sampson says
So sorry to hear about Ed.
He was a great guy and will be missed by many.
Our prayers are with you.
Sharon Sargeson says
Saddened to hear about Ed’s passing. He was a very nice guy. My prayers are with his family.
Debbie Kockler says
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Walter family. Sorry for your loss.
wayne kovick says
krissy, eddy was a great childhood friend.we had a lot of fun. my thoughts are with you.sincerely,wayne kovick
Buzz Helfert says
Ed was a good man,I’ve known him since high school.We served on the East Helena Vol. Fire depatment together.I remember if you wanted something done,you put Ed in charge of the committee.May God bless him, he was a soldier and a gentleman.
Kristine Campbell says
My brother Eddy was such a special guy. He loved life and did may outdoor things, and he also had many interests. The most special thing I can think of is how much he loved his kids. He had so much fun with them. He loved to go to the lake and do water sports and he liked to camp. His life centered around the kids. They will always have the memories of him in their hearts.
Dennis Tilton says
I new Ed first as Ed Fink then, a few years later as Ed Walter. I new the change included a time in Viet Nam. Like many of the vets he didn’t talk much about it except for a story of crashing a helicopter, one of many helicopters on a large attack. We worked years together, I kidded him about the private war of 424, the gunship he crewed for Troop N, MTARNG. Ed was a friend, a good guy, someone who would do anything and everything for a friend. God bless.