Walter Francis Holmes, Jr.*** *
Posted By tatemortuary on September 10, 2011
Walter F. Holmes
Walter Francis (Butch) Holmes of Stansbury Park, Utah, passed away at his home September 10, 2011, after a courageous five year battle with cancer. He was born in Tooele, Utah to Walter and Dorothy Holmes on June 26, 1947. He grew up in Tooele, but spent a lot of time in Wyoming with his mother’s family. He graduated from Tooele High School in 1965 and then joined the Naval Reserves. He was later called to active duty for two years during which he served in Vietnam. On July 21, 1967, he married Thanna Willardson. They lived in Logan, Utah where he continued his education. He received
his Bachelor and Masters degrees from Utah State University. He worked for a short time in the private sector, but spent 29 years working for the U. S. Geological Survey in Vernal and Salt Lake City. After his retirement he continued working with Tooele City, Tooele County and Stansbury Park on various projects using his expertise in hydrology.
He enjoyed many different interest over the years. He collected old bottles and relics; trapped in the west desert and golfed. He hunted with family and friends. One highlight of those experiences was drawing a lifetime permit to hunt moose. He filled that tag with a Boone and Crockett record for Utah Shiras moose. He had a passion for deep sea fishing in the Sea of Cortez, as well. Many Stansbury golfers and residents will remember seeing him diving for golf balls in the golf course ponds. He used the proceeds to build a house in Baja to enjoy and fish in Mexico. Walt is survived by his wife of 44 years, Thanna; his children: Michael (Farrelyn) Holmes; Jennifer (Mark Schoning) Crosby; a sister, Sue Kramer and six grandchildren: Afton, Dylan, Bridger, Zayla, Cache and Dakota. A memorial service
will be held at Tate Mortuary in Tooele, Utah on October1, 2011 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Kidney Cancer Association
(www.kidnexcancer.org; telephone: 1-800-850-9132 X 101). Online condolences may be sent to www.TateMortuary.com
Lyrics from a Jimmy Buffett song, “He Went to Paris”: “Some of it’s magic and some of it’s tragic, but
I’ve had a good life all the way.”
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Thanna and Family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love Tammy
Walt was a very good man! I went on several fishing trips with him to Mexico, and stayed in his Paloma in the mtns. Took my daughter and her friend, he treated us like family! You will be missed, Walt! RIP
Thanna, you have always been a special person to me. 44 years of marriage, what a wonderful example in our world of easy come, easy go. I am sure you are lonely but I hope you are also feeling loved. Death is such a blessing when the body is in bad shape. What a comfort to know death is not the end . Walt is happy, healthy and doing things he loves even now, though he too is lonesome. May you and your family feel the peace and comfort you deserve. Love, Carolyn