Walter E. Wilson, age 83, passed away from Alzheimer’s disease on January 7, 2018.  Walter lived in Richland where he came to work for Battelle as a research physicist in 1965.

Walter was born and raised with his two brothers on their parents’ farm in Salem, Oregon.  He graduated from Willamette University and went on to earn his doctorate in Physics from the University of Wisconsin.  He enjoyed a year abroad in Basel, Switzerland as a post-doctoral fellow.  Throughout his career, Walter continued to collaborate with and visit colleagues in Europe.  He married Connie in 1967 and together they raised four children.  Family was always most important to him.  He was an avid photographer and loved the outdoors, especially fishing on the Oregon Coast.  Many of his hobbies centered around computers, and he taught computing at WSU-Tri-Cities.  He was well-known for his New Year’s Day chili and for making friends feel like part of the family.  

Walter is survived by his brother, Howard, of Corvallis, OR, his wife, Connie, and children, Bruce (Lisa), Doug (Mariliz), Greg (Lori), and Dee Ann (Gary) and ten grandkids: Jenna, Jackson, Camille, Angelina, Casey, Bradley, Paige, Bryce, Mari and Andie.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Erma Wilson, and his brother, Ralph Wilson, Jr.

The family will be holding a private memorial service.  In lieu of flowers, please consider the Washington State University Tri-Cities Battelle Scholars Endowment Fund.