Walter L. Dancey, 83, of Merced, California, passed away surrounded by family on August 22, 2018. Born on September 15, 1934 in Los Angeles, California, to Walter Dancey and Evangeline Rubelmann. Walter married Patricia Lineberger on September 11, 1953. The couple had four children.
A pattern maker by trade, Walter contributed to the NASA Space Program by creating the models used to build the space shuttle engines. In 1976, Walter relocated the family to Merced, California, where he became a small business owner opening a Baskin Robbins at the Merced Mall. After a couple of decades, he switched gears, selling the ice cream store and purchasing Gingiss Formalwear. After a handful of years, Walter retired as a small business owner, but remained active by working at Kingsview with the developmentally disabled for almost two decades.
Soon after relocating to Merced, California, Walter joined The Breakfast Lions Club and was a past President. From the Thursday morning meetings, to working the annual fireworks booth to being the official bread cutter for the cioppino dinner, Walter loved the camaraderie amongst its members and serving the community.
Walter is predeceased by his brother Donald Dancey and daughter Susan Dancey.
Walter is survived by loving wife Patricia Dancey; sister Lucille Conkwright; children Robert and wife Karen Dancey, Deborah and husband John Lopez as well as Janet Dancey; grandchildren Stephen and wife Krista Lopez, Timothy and wife Jenna Lopez, Samuel and wife Michelle Lopez, Leah and husband Jeff Ince, David and wife Janell Lopez, Daniel Lopez, Katie Lopez and Ryan Dancey; as well as great grandchildren Chase Lopez, Elliot Lopez, Nora Lopez and Clara Lopez.
