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Classification: Obituary
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/iUI.2ACIB/1861
Message Board Post:
May 15, 2003
MISSOULA - Walter Chandler, a longtime resident of the Missoula and Hamilton areas, passed
away Monday, May 12, 2003, of natural causes.
He was born Jan. 22, 1917, to Don and Florence Chandler in Bozeman.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Dorothy Clark.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Catherine; a daughter, Sherry Massey and Bob; two
granddaughters, Angie Violette and husband J.P. and Susan Langley and husband Jared;
great-grandchildren, Mitchell, Alexis, Austin and Ethan; nieces, Caroline Dykman of
Helena, Joyce Forsgren of Manhattan, Alice Mize of Belgrade and Judy Hester of Helena; and
nephew, Cap Clark of Eleva, Wis.
Walter grew up in the beautiful Gallatin Valley. He was educated in Manhattan and
graduated from high school in 1934. He worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps for a
year at the Moiese Buffalo Range. He then attended a year at Montana State College in
Bozeman in the field of chemical engineering.
Walter worked for the Milwaukee Railroad for a number of years, but he was drafted soon
after Pearl Harbor and went into the Army. His basic training was done at Camp Roberts,
Calif., and he applied for and was accepted into officers candidate school in Fort Sill,
Okla. He retired from the Army as a 2nd lieutenant.
He married Catherine Aktepy of Clinton on Feb. 7,1942, and returned to civilian life in
1943. On July 15, 1943, a daughter, Sherry was born. Walter and Catherine enjoyed 62
wonderful, devoted years together.
Walter worked for the Milwaukee Railroad as a section foreman. He also worked in the field
of mining before settling in Hamilton with the U.S. Postal Service. Walter retired from
the Hamilton post office after 16 years of service. He finished his interesting career
life at Ace Hardware in Missoula, retiring after 17 years.
His upbeat attitude toward life enabled him to make the best of whatever came his way. His
many friends and especially his family will miss his consistent optimism but will be
consoled at the thought that his profound faith in Jesus has him in a better place where
there is no illness, care, nor sorrow.
I am not related just wanted to share. Ruth