Miss you every day, Walter.  W.D. 40 [What Have You Done Now?] Downs.  He was so funny.  And so sweet.
  Love you Wally.

Dub was my half brother and he came to Iowa Park to visit when he was on leave in the military. I so wanted to see him again after we connected about 5 years ago. It really hurt me when I heard of his passing. We talked on the phone fairly often and the last time was around Thanksgiving. Dub was always so cheerful and sweet to talk to, just wish I could have known him better. Praying for all his family. 

So sorry to hear of Mr. Dub’s passing. Our sincere condolences to the family.
Billy Raybon and family 

The night I found out how sick my uncle Dub was I didn’t sleep very well.  Could 2020 get any worse?!?  I woke up about 3:00 AM that night with the clearest visions of him; his devilish smile, his sweet  laugh, and the way he and all the other great story tellers in our family (uncle Gerald and all the Peltier boys) would swap Cajun tall tales and Boudreaux jokes.  He seemed to always sneak in and out of family gatherings on his own terms, quietly, independently.  I like to think I get that trait from him.  My mother (his sister) has always been the life of the party, but like him, I hate big hellos and goodbyes.  I just retired from 20+ years in healthcare and quietly sneaked out.  No parties or big send off for me.  I made a mental note of who I would now have the time to spend time with.  My mother and uncle Dub were at the top of that list.  I’m so sad that I missed out on having time with him before he passed, but those images of the essence of him will stay in my heart.  Rest In Peace uncle Dub, and give big hugs from me to Myrtie Mac, aunt Joyce, and cousins Terry, Tommy, and Timmy 💔

So sorry to hear of his passing. He was my half brother and only met him once a couple of years ago. He was so sweet to me and wish I had known him better. I found out on Fb that he had passed. May he Rest In Peace. 😢

Uncle Dub has been in my life ever since I was big enough to run over his feet with my tricycle.   One of the legends in the family biography .  I don't remember that he ever hit me but Granny Mac did take a switch to us from time to time.  Walter was game.   Ready to try anything.  He joined the Navy at 17 and learned  the workings of a ship's engine.  Mechanics have been part of how he made a living later on at the Liberty Machine shop refurbishing lathes.   Walter was self-taught.  Very independent.  A shade-tree mechanic, welder, pipe fitter, and trouble shooter for the Mars candy company.  He would bring us boxes of milky ways but could not stand candy himself.  Wally was self taught and could read a blueprint like a Life Magazine.   He had been asked to become a supervisor many times.  A natural born leader who did not want to boss others.  So sweet.  And patient.  It was joy to be around him.  And how merciful that Mary, and Joyce and Walter had such great connections and love for each other.  That came from Myrtle MacMicheal and that love was spread around like the dark cane syrup they used.  Wally, Joyce and our mom Mary,  were close to each other their whole lives.  They would talk to  each other every week.  One story Wally loved to tell was about taking Granny Mac fishing.   Myrtie was a great fisherman.  She cold catch perch in a puddle.  One afternoon Dub and she were out along side a bayou fishing from the bank.    Quiet time of the day.  Then he heard this splashing, and yelling, and coming up to where Myrtie had set up to watch her cork.  A snake was trying to squeeze through the wire basket to get at her fish.  "Now mom, that's a snake get away from there!  Well Dub I can't help it,"   And she proceeded to beat that snake to death!
There is a huge hole in the world.  There is another precious beloved person gone.   You don't get anywhere alone.  So take this wonderful soul and precious heart unto you.   Forever be loved.

Angela and all Walters family...Wow. So sorry to hear about his passing. I knew Walter ever since he moved to Swamp Road....A super friendly, kind, helpful and loving man...He stopped by my home place about 6 weeks ago and we talked a bit, I was kinda busy trying to sell some stuff from my old barn. He looked good, bought some extension cords.
Probably just to help me out..... He was really like family for me.....
Jack Odom Jr

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He is survived by two daughters, Janet Pizzuto (Bill) and Angela Shuler (Kenny); one son, Michael Poche (Boo); one sister, Mary Beard; six grandchildren, April Powell, Timothy Rolf, Monica Poret, Gabrielle Pizzuto, Jake Poche and Mason Poche; and six great-grandchildren; Gabriel Rolf, Waylon Rolf, Harley Poret, Liam Poret, Sailor Powell and Sookie Powell, along with a host of nieces and nephews that adored Uncle Dub.
He is preceded by his parents, Myrtie Robenson and Willie L. Downs; wife, Winnie Downs; daughter, Patricia Downs Juneau; sister, Lillian Joyce Peltier; and granddaughter, Nicole Cooley.

OBITUARY

Walter "Dub" L. Downs

3 November, 1933 – 21 December, 2020

Ourso Funeral Home

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