Walter W.C. Ching

Walter Wah Chu Ching was born to 2nd generation Chinese- American parents, Yan Quong and Kam Tom Ching. Walter is the fifth oldest of 16 siblings. His father opened the first grocery and gas station store in Punalu‘u in 1935. The Chings’ Store is still serving the community today. Walter helped his parents run the store while attending school and graduated from Kahuku High School in June 1941.

After high school, Walter worked as an electrician’s aide at Kaneohe Naval Air Station. He earned his welding certification at night school. After graduation, he built gas tanks at Bellows Airfield in Waimanalo and eventually at Hickam Army Airfield.

Walter worked the night shift at Hickam on December 6, 1941. He finished at 7 a.m. on the morning of December 7, 1941. While driving home to Punalu‘u on the Old Pali Road, he witnessed the attack on NAS Kaneohe. Walter volunteered to clean up the bombed-out hangers at Hickam for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. During the clean-up, roofing from a hanger fell on Walter. He was laid up for three weeks, but once healed, he was right back to work. Being a welder, he repaired storage tanks at Hickam, Wheeler, and other airfields across the islands for most of 1944.

Walter joined the Navy Construction Battalion — better known as the Seabees. The Seabees were sent to Samar Island in the Philippines. While on Samar Island, a crane struck the cross beam that Walter was on, causing him to fall 20 feet to the ground. He fractured his skull, ruptured his ear drums, broke all his front teeth, injured his knees and right wrist. Fortunately, Walter survived the fall, and recuperated for seven weeks in the hospital that he helped build. He was one tough guy!

Walter married Dorothy Seto on July 18, 1943, at the Church of the Crossroads in Honolulu. This year, they celebrated their 81st wedding anniversary! They have four children, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

After Walter got out of the service, he worked at SuBase, Pearl Harbor, in various jobs, and eventually as a Diesel Mechanic. After 33 years of federal service, he retired. Walter can do it all, electrical, plumbing, and carpentry. He built his own home and all sorts of cooking contraptions. Everyone would ask for his expertise and to also borrow his tools! Walter was awarded the Hawai’i Chinese-American World War II Veterans Congressional Gold Medal in 2022. Walter enjoyed golfing, poker, and with Dorothy, enjoyed traveling and ballroom dancing together.

Walter is survived by his wife Dorothy, children Jeffrey, Steven (Arlene), Kuʻulei (Bob Benton), Lori (Chris Choy), five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, brothers Robert Ching, Gerald Ching (Gladys), Gordon Ching (Mariko), Vernon Ching (Marie), sisters Vivian Zimmerman, Loretta Nekota, many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Predeceased by grandson, Dr. Taylor Choy.

Family requests aloha attire please.