After a stroke in January 2013, Walter was transferred to Avalon Valley Rehab Center, where he resided until his death Nov. 4, 2015. He was 82. He was born in Kankakee, IL, to Beatrice Morse Thompson and John Libby Thompson, the 2nd of 4 brothers. His mom believed that crying was good for babies. She would bundle him up and put him out on the front porch in the buggy when he cried. Now, that would probably cause a citation for child abuse. He had a big brother, J. Laurence Thompson, who preceded Walt in death.
His brothers, Charley, of Montrose, CO and Rev. Herbert, of Kankakee, IL survive him. In 1958, he married Jeannette Maughan in the Methodist Church, Momence IL. 3 sons were born of that marriage, Matthew, David, and Dominic ‚ all currently of Salt Lake City. He is also survived by his younger brothers' wives, his grandchildren, Ashleigh Jeannette Thompson (studying at Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ), Andrew Matthew Thompson, living at home with his grandma, Jeannette Flamming, and Holland Brittany Hanks, Dominic's daughter, who is attending SLCC in Salt Lake. Walt was very thrilled to be grandpa to these three children, and loved to visit with them. Before Jeannette retired, she often worked 12 hr. shift weekends, and Walt would babysit. He would often take the children to the park, or the SLC cemetery, where he showed them the raptors and baby foxes' home.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 12 noon. There will be a viewing from 10:30 to noon at Larkin Mortuary on South Temple, 3rd East, Salt Lake City.
His body has been donated to the Univ. of Utah Neurobiology and Anatomy Dept. In lieu of flowers, a donation to The Samaritan's Purse, or other charity that benefits children would be appreciated.
