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Walter William Wilson
05/24/1942 — 01/12/2010
From Benton, City, WA, US | Born in Pasco, WA
Walter William Wilson
Walter William Wilson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and son was born May 24th, 1942 in Pasco, Washington; and left this earthly life surrounded by his loving family on January 12, 2010, at home. Walter grew up in on the family farm in Benton City where he attended Kiona-Benton schools up into his high school years where he met and later married his sweetheart, Frances Wilson, on April 15, 1961. Walt and Fran and their growing family moved to Pasco Washington where he worked for Pischels Printing for 12 years. They returned to run the family cherry farm in 1976. In 1977 he became a sales representative for Jostens Yearbook Company. For 22 years, Walt not only became one of Jostens top salesman and award winners, but also ran the family farm. Even during the chaos of cherry season, Walt ran the show with perfection. It came naturally to him, because he truly loved it. His farm and his family were his pride and joy. He also cherished all the many good friends he had, and all the memories they had together. He also loved to travel and especially enjoyed an occasional trip to the casino. Walt had a great mind for politics. He had a natural charm and a way with people; but also welcomed a good debate. Always willing to help out if somebody needed it; everyone would agree there is no one with a bigger heart of pure gold. After retirement Walt continued to stay busy; starting a digital photography business, and later a magnetic jewelry company. Even at the beginning of his illness you would often find him working until dark. He kept such an optimistic and positive attitude throughout his illness and an upbeat spirit. Walt was ever the jokester and life of any party and would always make everyone laugh. We will always remember his strong, proud, and very opinionated character. There will never again be a man quite like Walt. He was one of a kind and could put a smile on anyones face. We will all miss him dearly. Walter was preceded in death by, his father, Loin Silvey Wilson; and brother Grady Wilson. He is survived by; his mother, Ruby Crowley of Roseburg, Oregon; brother Terry Sharon Wilson of Benton City; sister Susan Bob Melvin of Myrtle Creek, Oregon; His wife of 48 years, Frances; children Troy Becky Wilson of Benton City, Todd Cheryl Wilson of Benton City; Teri John Geeting of Richland; Tyler Wilson of Benton City and Traci Wilson of Benton City, His cherished and beloved grandchildren, Tiffany, Rachael, Graham and Luke Geeting; Anthony Montgomery, and Emily, Avery Wilson, Mick and Jamison Zeller and Anthony Latta. He is also survived by his very good buddy, Milt Bean of Yuma, Arizona.
I always looked up to Walt. He was a natural born leader
Walt was my Jostens rep as I fumbled my way through yearbook production at Park Middle School. For about 10 years I looked forward to him coming by my school and calling me “Mother Teresa”. A bit embarrassing, but so endearing! I helped him out with school dance pictures a few times…what fun! Walt was a very sweet man who will be greatly missed.
When arriving at the Jostens meetings Walt was one of the first people I would always go and find. You knew once you found Asphalt you were going to have some fun. I learn a lot from him about the yearbook business, how to treat your customers but mostly how to enjoy life. He will be greatly missed.
I met walter when I lived in benton City at church and Fran his wife was my visiting teacher.He was a very nice man and is going to be missed,may God bless and comfort his family.
I met and started working with Walt in the late seventies as he became my yearbook representative for the next zillion years. When he retired and I had to work with someone else, it was a real adjustment. Walt was the greatest as he was always on the kids’ side, always trying to get us a good deal, and keep us afloat. He would come in at 7:00 am sometimes with donuts, always with a smile, and be right there helping me, letting kids make choices, validating them as real decision-makers. I’ll always remember how much he loved laughing at other people’s shenanigans, how he just couldn’t get over how some people just didn’t know how to enjoy life every single day. His pride in his farm and in his family were another defining part of him that he shared with all of us. He watched my daughter grow up and gave her advice like an extra grandpa. What a great guy he was, and how much he’ll be missed. Spirits like his do not come along into one’s life just every day.
I will never forget “Asphalt Walt”. He even introduced himself to me with that title when I started with Jostens in Spokane years ago. As I arrived to the territory without a clue who the Jostens customers were we had no list!, Walt drove from the Tri-cities to Spokane, put me in his car and drove me around to area schools for a couple of days to introduce me to anyone he knew. His encouragement rings in my ears still, as he’d tell me “Hell, Lizzie, if I can do this career YOU can do this!” He and Fran were so hospitable, inviting my husband and I down to their cherry fields. I got to see the infamous “love shack”. Walt had quite a set up. He loved fruit farming and managed the field workers masterfully. He was generous in many ways, both with family and co-workers.
My sincere condolences to you, Fran, and the whole family.
The world will not be the same without Walt! We have lost a shining light. Walt’s humor and honesty were an inspiration to me in my early years with Jostens. He will be sorely missed!
Walt was such a good friend of the Visalia printing plant. He treated us like one of his customers, with respect and would do everything he could to help us ship books on time.
I never failed to feel better after a phone call, a quick lunch together or a night out on the town with Walt. Although answering the bell the next day was sometimes a struggle. There is a special place in heaven for folks like Walt. May God bless him and his family.
Asphalt Walt joined Josten’s after I had departed for a California territory but once I met him, I knew I had a friend for life. He and Milt Bean visited me here in Arizona a few years ago and we had a good time over a beer talking about the past. I’m sorry that that time has come to an end but I’m glad I had that one more chance to shoot the bull with him. God Bless, Walt.
Walt was a dear man and an absolute joy to work with. I was yearbook advisor for ten years for Hanford Middle School, and Walt taught me so much. He was always so patient and gave great advice as to how to create a yearbook. He was a natural born teacher as he helped middle school students learn the ins and outs of yearbook publication. Walt was a great friend, and he will be truly missed!!! My condolences to his family.
Walt was very special… An absolute natural salesman… He under promised, and over delivered to his valued customers
My condolences to the Wilson family. As part of the Jostens family I had the pleasure of rooming with Walt several times throughout my career. In each occation Walt instilled a little wisdom that lives with me today. This earth was a better place because of Asphalt Walt. Rest in peace my friend.
Jef
My sympathy goes out to Walt’s extended family. I am a retired Jostens manager, and knew him very well from his years of service to the Jostens yearbook division. He was fun to be around, a great sales rep for Jostens, and I will miss him a bunch.
Walt was one of a kind. He will be missed. I had a chance to do a yearbook convention with him in seattle. Great Memories.
Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest condolences extend to the Wilson family. We remember Walt for his sense of humor and his laughter–which entered the room before he did! I hope that even during this time you are able to laugh and rejoice in his memory!
Walt was a great guy. I got the chance to work alongside him here in Washington with Jostens for at least 15 years. He was an old-fashioned salesman. He actually told me himself that he was just a “peddler.” He taught me that selling anything was more than what you sold, it was the people you sold it to and the relationships you created. Some years he would take his best advisers on a trip to the Visalia plant for a day and then a few days of good times on the road home. The road trip down and back was legendary among the advisers and they all loved him dearly for it. Most of his customers never left him over all the time he was with Jostens. I always envied the incredibly close relationship he had with them. We used to call him Asphalt Walt because his territory spread out over three states with schools few and far between but for me it was his heart that was bigger than his territory. He was a great guy and I will miss him.
Our deepest sympathies to all the family.
We truly enjoyed Uncle Walt’s sense of humour and bold opinions when we came to visit out there. He always made us feel special, and truly had a big heart. We will miss him.
Walt was a good guy. Always made me feel like I was a good friend.
I have lost a very dear friend, and I share the grief of the family.
Bill Holstein
Walt always confessed to be just a simple, country boy, but, underneath, he was a very complex man. He was one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever met. He would always be there for you. He would always listen and help in any way he could.
I loved and appreciated the passion he found in life. It was a privilege to have known and worked with him.
I have enjoyed reading the memorials and the fond memories we all shared with Walt. Fran and family, I hope these memories will help you in your time of grief. When we moved to the Tri Cities 20 years ago and I was offered a teaching job at KeHS, Yearbook was included in the contract. My only experience with Yearbook at that time was that I had a yearbook when I was in H.S. Walt became more than a yearbook mentor, he became a friend to me and my family. Walt was generous and a genuine person who will be missed.
Walt, Ed Shoen and myself started in what was called New Man’s Sales School back in 1977 and I believe that is where we started calling him Asphalt Walt. I think there were 19 people at that school. By the time Walt was retiring there was just Walt, Ed and myself. I know that we will all miss Walt and the stories about the cherry farm. He was truly a great guy. I would like to give my sincere condolences to the entire Wilson family.
God Bless!
Robin Fritts
Walt will be greatly missed by his friends and family. His great sense of humor and warmth will be especially remembered. I lived next door to Fran & Walt and the 2 little boys in Pasco. Fran, you are a dear friend and my prayers are with you through these painful days. Condolences and love to you and your family.
When I began teaching at McFarland Junior High in Othello, I was assigned to teach the yearbook class. Since I had no experience in that field, I was terrified. Luckily, Walt was my Josten’s representative. He patiently guided me through the process and, most of all, he gave me the confidence to succeed. I send my deepest sympathies to his family.
I remember Walt saying “if you work hard you get to play hard”. He was a good man and I have fond memories of him and the whole Wilson family. You are in our thoughts and prayers Fran and Ty and Teri and the whole Wilson Family. Neil
I am so sorry Fran. You are a part of my good memories of growing up in Benton City. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Annette Pierce
Through the years that I knew Walt, he seemed to always taking a liking to me. It may have been because I didn’t get into the foray of the debates, and just wanted to help him with his adventures. At one point he tried to convince Trina and I to move out here so I could help him with the photography business. We sold our old van to him and he commented that it was the best van he’d ever bought cause it just kept going and going and hauled his fruit where he needed it to go.
My greatest moment with Walt was when he asked me to be his escort through the temple. I was very honored and will always cherish that memory.
Guestbook for
Walter William Wilson