- Walter Eugene Watters, 81, of Idaho Falls, died Monday, November 17, 2008, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls.
He was born on October 3, 1927, in Nashua, Montana, the son of James Albert and Eliza Jane Coffey Watters. Walt was born on a farmstead in rural Nashua, Montana, and attended a one-room country school for his early educa- tion. He completed his studies at Nashua High School early and subsequently joined the U.S. Army. Walt served in Italy in the waning months of World War II, helping to keep the port city of Trieste free at the dawn of the Cold War. Upon discharge from the Army, he attended Montana State University in Bozeman, graduating in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
He married Doris Lucille Palmer on December 31, 1952, in Culbertson, Montana. Walt devoted his life to his family. He and his wife, Doris, raised seven children and were deeply involved in the lives of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Walt was a good provider for his family. His career as a Mechanical Engineer took him from Shell Chemical Co. in New York to Aerojet General in California to work on the space program, and then to Aerojet Nuclear and EG&G to work as project engineer at Idaho National Engineering Laboratory.
He was particularly proud of his turbo-pump rotor design for the M1 motor on the Titan Rocket program, on display at the Smithsonian Space Museum. Fishing with his grandchildren was a special joy and another opportunity to teach the lesson that you should always bait your own hook. Elk hunting with his sons and grandsons was a special love of his that he looked forward to over the entire year. Walt had everything laid out and ready for one last elk hunt of the season.
Walter was a member of the Roman Catholic Church, a member of the Knights of Columbus, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. His hobbies included family, hunting, fishing, hiking, target-shooting, camping, and he loved wildlife and being in nature. Walt exemplified all the character qualities for which the members of the greatest generation are known. He was honest, self-reliant, driven, giving, family-centered, responsible, humble, had a wry sense of humor and took pride in a job well done -- he prized excellence, a trait he cultivated in his children.
Survivors include his wife, Doris Watters of Idaho Falls; a son, Donald Watters of Idaho Falls; three daughters, Kathleen Hootman of San Jose, California, Nancy Wonacott of Boise and Diane Wagner of Sammamish, Washington; a son, James Watters of Idaho Falls, a son, Michael Watters of Fayetteville, North Carolina, a son, Samuel Watters of Bloomington, Minnesota; a brother, William Watters of Battle Ground, Washington; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren with more on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and seven brothers.
At Walter's request, a private family memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Buck-Miller-Hann Funeral Home in Idaho Falls. The family suggests that donations be given to the Alzheimer's Association, 1111 S. Orchard St., Boise, ID 83705, in recognition of his role as a caregiver.
Published in Post Register on November 20, 2008
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1927 - 2008 (81 years)
