Walter Joseph Veilleux

Walter Joseph Veilleux, born December, 5, 1933 in Oakville, Connecticut, passed away peacefully in Marceline, Missouri, at the Pioneer Skilled Nursing residence on March 20, 2023. He was preceded in death by his wife Franceska, brother Henry, and sister Shirley O’Connell.

Walter served in the United States Army with the 2nd Signal Corp as a high-speed radio operator during the Korean Conflict. Working on a mountain-top in Washington state, he supported air units operating in Korea. Walter also liked to recount his units practice amphibious landing on a California beach and driving through the nearby Hearst castle complex on the way to their objective.

Walter Veilleux studied tool design after high school and used his expertise at Mallory Battery, United Aircraft, Timex, Pratt and Whitney, Evergreen and Gates Learjet. He was known for being able to design and build any tool for any job. As a young man, he worked with Alexander Calder on the Whirling Ear sculpture created for the World Exhibition of Brussels 1958, where it is still on display.

His hobbies followed his passion for machining and building. These hobbies included metal and wood carving, restoration of old bicycles, mopeds, cars, and motorcycles, including an Indian cycle. With his talents, he could repair anything from your wristwatch to the brake assembly on a Boeing 727.

Walter moved his family from Connecticut to Tucson, Arizona in 1970 and retired to Green Valley, Arizona, in 1996. After losing his bride of 59 years, he moved to Marceline, Missouri in 2017 with his eldest daughter and her husband. His final years were spent enjoying country life, watching trains, fishing, sitting on the porch, smelling the flowers and fresh cut grass. He loved recounting memories with his daughters and grandchildren when they came to visit.

Witty, kind and charming to the end, he leaves behind three daughters, seven grandchildren, and a great grandson. He will be missed every day.

There is no service at this time. Walter's ashes will be interred in Connecticut during a family gathering next year.