He was born on January 11, 1922 in Hinsdale, NH the son of Frank and Sofia (Donbrowski) Lepinski. In 1932 moved to Winchester where he had resided until his death.
Walter attended local schools and Thayer High School where he was an active athlete in three sports. After graduating, he worked at The Lawrence Leather Co. of Winchester until 1942.
He was drafted into the United States Army on November 4th 1942, and continued on with basic and advance training as a member of the 10th Armored Division Infantry Battalion, Headquarters Company.
In the summer of 1944, Walter became a part of our “Greatest Generation” as the 10th Armored Division also known as the “Tiger” division left for the war in Europe. The 10th experienced conflict from their arrival in September 1944 through November 1944. In December 1944 the tankers of the 10th Armored Division became the first to reach Bastogne, Belgium and participate in what was to be the “Battle of the Bulge”. For a personalized account, the book “The Tigers of Bastogne-Voices of the 10th Armored Division” by Michael Collins and Martin King has many first hand interviews with Walter and others about the battle.
Walter returned to the United States in early 1945 and received his discharge from the Army in November of 1945. Walter was awarded a Bronze Star and Oak Leaf Cluster for his gallantry during the Battle of the Bulge. Also earned was a Presidential Citation and other numerous Certificates of Proficiency for marksmanship, and was designated a “Sniper” with the 10th.
Walter returned to Winchester after his discharge and went back to work at Lawrence Leather until his retirement. He continued his passion for the outdoors, enjoying hiking camping, fishing and hunting with his dogs though out New England.
Walter will be dearly missed by his nephew: Joseph Dymerski, his wife Gail of Citra, FL, and their two sons: Deric Dymerski (Tami) of Tampa, FL and David Dymerski of Clarksville, GA; close friends: Norman Whittle of Hinsdale, NH, Kevin Krunklevich of Orange, MA, Don Rotteck of Providence, RI; and his loving and attentive caregivers.
He was predeceased by sisters: Evangeline Dymerski and Felicia Wilson; and brother: Vincent Lepinski.
Family and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, April 20, 2018 at 11:00 am at St. Stanislaus, 80 Richmond Street, Winchester, NH. Burial with Military Honors will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Hinsdale, NH.
Fletcher Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Keene has been entrusted with the arrangements. To express condolences or to share a memory, please visit www.FletcherFuneralHome.com.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18