Walter Holy, 90, of Orchards, WA, has gone on to the home prepared for him in Heaven, after a long battle with cancer. Walter, born in Ross, N. Dakota, was the youngest of five children of Joseph Holy and Stella Bures. He is survived by his beloved wife, Frances; daughters Dianna and Linda (Bob Durston), and grandson Justin (Kristy), of Portland, OR; daughter Sharon Maddax and extended family, of Puyallup, WA; sisters Florence Thompson, Portland, and Francine Smith (Joe), Lake Oswego, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
When Walter was young his family moved to Oregon City, OR. Walter joined the Army in April of 1944 at the age of 16 and began his military career as a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne. He spent the next two years in Germany and France, reenlisted in 1946, and spent most of that time in Italy as a military policeman. After a total of 4 years and 7 months of service, he became a civilian and turned 21 three weeks later. He then went to work at Crown Zellerbach in Oregon City, got married and had two daughters. In 1956 he joined the Air Force and enjoyed many years as an aircraft maintenance and jet engine technician instructor, later becoming a propulsion branch and aircraft maintenance superintendent, with duties across Europe, Taiwan and Vietnam. After a total of 32-1/2 years (including his earlier service), during which he received numerous awards and medals, Chief Master Sergeant Holy finally retired. He loved to travel and he and Frances took long road trips as often as possible, and for many years drove across the country to attend the annual meeting of the Veterans of Underage Military Service (VUMS) organization of which he was a proud member. At 88 he was still riding his bicycle to Goodwill to look for something interesting. He was always busy fixing things, at home and for friends and family. He was tireless and always cheerful and optimistic. On June 30th he and Frances celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. He will be missed by many.
Services will be held on July 17th at Vancouver Funeral Chapel, followed by interment at Willamette National Cemetery.
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