Walter S. Hamilla Sr.
(March 7, 1925 - September 20, 2006)
 

 Munising

Walter S. Hamilla, Sr., age 81, of 214 W. Superior St., Munising, died on Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 5:35 p.m. at Marquette General Hospital, he died from complications of a fall at his cottage on Tuesday, Sept. 12th.

He was born in Munising, March 7, 1925, to the late Stella Patsos. He attended Munising Schools. On May 4, 1943 he entered the U.S. Army serving during WWII in Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno; Southern France; Rhineland, Central Europe; he was awarded Victory Medal, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon w/1 Silver Battle; 4 overseas service bars, and a Good Conduct Medal. He returned home December 17, 1945. He married Gwendolyn D. Strand, April 10, 1947; Gwen preceded him in death November 14, 1992. Walt lived in Munising most of his life. He worked at the Bancroft Dairy and Munising Paper Company until moving to Flint in 1953 where he began work at General Motors, retiring as a Parts Inspector at the Chevrolet Frame and Stamping plant in 1990. He was a member of UAW Local 659 of Flint. He was a former member of Sacred Heart Church. Walt enjoyed hunting, fishing, his cottage and the outdoors, in recent years he found new fun in the casinos.

Walt is survived by 5 children – Walter “Tooker” (Cathy) Hamilla, Jr. of Flushing John (Nancy) Hamilla of Flint – Betty Lou (Robert) Kendall, of Flint – Carl “C.J.” Hamilla, of Flint – David (Patsy Jane) Hamilla of Burton. 2 Brothers, John (Jeanne) Patsos and George (Dora) Patsos – 13 Grandchildren: Chad Hamilla, Melissa (Ryan) Solesby, Jeffrey, and Christopher Hamilla, Christa (Scott) Clifford, Randy Balcer, Jennifer (Michael) Oldrham, Lindi (Jeffrey) Saylor, Ryan (Jennifer), Kevin, Adam, Zachary “Eddie”, and Shelby Hamilla - 9 Great-grandchildren – Dylan & Emilie Solesby; Tyler, Cyleigh, and Mickey Clifford, Preston Balcer, Haley Saylor, Natalie Oldrham, and Tyler Hamilla, also numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by sisters - Sophie Polmatier, Helen Hamilla, and Anna Hamilla, brothers - Frank Hamilla Sr., Joe Hamilla, and Roman Malinowski.

Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Friday evening from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Deacon Thomas Moseley of Sacred Heart Church will conduct Walt’s funeral service on Saturday, September 23, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bowerman Funeral Chapel. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery where the Alger County Veterans Council will conduct military honors.

Submitted by Char Livermore