Phillip D. Walter

Phillip D. Walter, 87, a five year resident at The Legacy in Battle Creek, died at Bronson Battle Creek on Thursday, July 24, 2013, after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Phil was born January 20, 1926 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Harry and Minnie (Kimble) Walter. He grew up in Marshall, graduated from Marshall High School and General Motors Institute in Flint. Phil served his country during WWII as a gunner in the U.S. Army Air Corp. Phil was employed as the assistant service manager at Horner-Coppin Plymouth Chrysler, until he started his own business, Phil Walter's Auto Specialist Service Station in 1952, at South Avenue and Fountain St. He moved to Capital Ave. N.E. and Emmett St. in 1955 and in 1958 located at 915 Capital Ave. N.E., its present location. Phil sold the business in 1986 and continued to work summers for another decade after that.

Phil married June I. Mott on May 10, 1947 in Marshall, MI. Surviving are June, his wife of 66 years; daughter, Constance "Connie" (Dennis) Howes of Hickory Corners; son, Daniel (Elaine) Walter of Tucson, AZ; four grandchildren; Scott (Sara) Howes, Andrew Howes, Alan Walter and Cara Walter; and four great-grandchildren, Ethan, Abigail, Jacob and Reece Howes. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Phil was an avid fisherman and loved cars and music. He enjoyed wintering in Arizona, where he was a former member of Greenfield Village Resort Tennis Club. Phil was also a former member the Battle Creek Antique Car Club, Pennfield Exchange Club; and was a past president of the Gasoline Retailers Association of Calhoun County. Phil and June traveled all 50 states, mostly towing their Airstream trailer.

Friends will be received 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Monday at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 30, 2013. Military honors and interment will follow at Ft. Custer National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice Care Residence. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com