Walter R. Conley

Walter R. Conley, 85, passed away on April 22, 2012. He was born on April 16, 1927 in Portsmouth, Ohio to Raymond W. Conley and Mary Morris Conley. He was educated in Cleveland, OH schools and when the ink was barely dry on his high school diploma he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. In his 30 year career he served in three wars and held every enlisted rank from Able-bodied Seaman to Chief Hospital Corpsman, and every officer rank from Ensign to Lieutenant Commander, Medical Service Corps. While serving, he attended college and earned a degree from George Washington University in Hospital Administration from which he graduated With Distinction.

While on tour of duty in Danang, Vietnam, Walter met and courted Mary Nester, a Navy nurse. On returning to the States, they were married in Charleston, SC on February 18, 1972. They were stationed together in Corpus Christi, TX where he retired. On Mary's retirement in 1979, they settled in Lakeway, TX.

Walter was an active member of the Emmaus Catholic parish, having served as lector and Eucharistic minister for many years. He was a member of the Military Officers Association of America in which he served as President and Treasurer. He belonged to the USS Saint Paul CA-73 Association and the USS Frank E. Evans Association, Inc. He was a former member of the AustNTraK – a miniature railroad club, and a current member of the Hill Country Aeromodelers of Austin, TX – a radio-control model airplane club. He was a faithful member of the Lakeway Men's Breakfast Club and a volunteer at Lakeway City Hall.

Walter is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Mary Conley, daughter Cynthia Campbell (Bruce) and granddaughter Elizabeth of Shaker Heights, OH; daughter Susan Sutton (Scott) of Leander, TX; and son Michael Sean Conley of Los Angeles, CA; brother Charles Conley (Paula) of Peoria, AZ; sister Ruth Ann Breon (David) of Kemah, TX; and sister Patricia Moore of Fresno, CA; and many nieces and nephews as well as dear friends.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 3, 2012 at Weed-Corley-Fish Lake Travis Chapel, 411 Ranch Road 620 South, Lakeway, TX 78734

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 4, 2012 at Emmaus Catholic Church, 1718 Lohmans Crossing in Lakeway.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Parish Life Center, Emmaus Catholic Parish, Lakeway or a charity of your choice.

Fair skies and following winds Walter, until we meet again.