Walter Dean Winter

Walter Dean Winter was born on April 5, 1929, in a two story brick building in Detroit, Illinois. He was the middle child of Hugh Henry Lazelle Winter and Alice Marie Wilkins Winter. His family ran a general store on the first floor of that same building. The Winter family were active at the Detroit Christian Church. Walter’s father was an elder with this congregation and Walter was baptized as a youth in the nearby Blue River. The Winter roots were very deep in Pike County, Illinois especially in Pittsfield, Quincy, as well as Detroit. He was a member and served as a Deacon with the La Mesa Church of Christ. He later found a deep connection at Shadow Mountain Community Church. He has been a faithful servant his whole life.

Walter graduated with honors from Pittsfield High School in 1947. Since he participated in after school athletics, his transportation to campus was the school bus, but to get home after practice or games was to hitchhike or walk the 7.5 mile trek. He was the starting center and also played linebacker on the Saukee football team, “Best in the Illinois Valley Conference History”. After football season he played center on the basketball team, then threw the shot put on the track team. He truly embraced the spirit of teamwork and loved competition.

After graduating from high school, Walt enrolled in Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri and had a promising future ahead. However, when his father suffered a stroke early in 1950, Walter returned home to help his mother run the family general store and help care for his father. He later enrolled at Illinois State University (ISU) and graduated with a PE Major and a minor in Mathematics. He met his beloved future wife Eldora Runge while at ISU.

After graduation, his journey took a significant turn when he was drafted during the Korean War, serving as a Private First Class in the Army while stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

He and Eldora married on May 10, 1954, just weeks before she graduated from ISU. This marked the beginning of a beautiful partnership that lasted an incredible 70 years. Together, they welcomed three wonderful children, Cynthia, Rodney, and Eric, and cherished countless memorable camping trips as a family.

In 1959 Walt attended San Diego State College on a math scholarship. Although he hadn’t intended to stay long, he moved his family to teach math in El Cajon, where he played a pivotal role in establishing Granite Hills High School in 1960. He fell in love with the school and dedicated 30 years to teaching mathematics, leaving a lasting impact on his students.

Walter's love of sports remained unwavering, as he supported the Padres and Chargers and attended his grandchildren’s’ many games and events. Golf became his most cherished pastime. In 1985, he and Eldora purchased their home along the Cottonwood Golf Course where he played several times a month. He proudly volunteered at the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in 2008. He enjoyed nurturing his tomatoes and gardening. On many birthdays he would enjoy his favorite angel food cake.

Walter passed on January 8, 2025 in San Diego, California, at the age of 95. This leaves a profound emptiness in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. He is deeply missed by his family and all those fortunate enough to cross his path. Walter leaves behind a remarkable legacy as a loving, strong, and hardworking husband, survived by his wife Eldora, three children, Cynthia Watkins, Rodney Winter, and Eric Winter. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren including two due to arrive in March. He is preceded in death by his brother, Willard and sister Rozella, son Gregory, grandson Brian and granddaughter Tiffany. His spirit and kindness will forever be remembered and cherished, FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS.

The church service is joinable through livestream at https:\\memorial.shadowmountain.org

A Memorial page has been created in the Veterans Legacy Memorial and can be found at https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/WALTERDWINTER/a89c68