Walter Leroy Swailes 1923-2014

SWAILES, SAMMONS, WALLACE, SMITH, BOUDREAU, HILKER, HERITAGE, HOTCHKISS, HULEN, BRANNAN

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 7/21/2014 at 14:58:37

Walter Leroy Swailes, 91, of Holmen, WI, formerly of Keosauqua died July 12, 2014 at Bluffview Memory Care in Holmen. He was born July 3, 1923 in Rome, IA to George and Bonnie Sammons Swailes, grew up in Keosauqua, graduated from Keosauqua High School in 1941 and married fellow high school graduate Winifred Winona Wallace in 1948. Together they raised three children, Larry, Susan and Amy. Winnie was the love of Walter’s life for 54 years. She died February 15, 2002.

Walter joined the Navy following graduation and served in the Pacific Theatre on the USS Ebony. He attended Midshipman School and achieved rank of Lt. JG. Following graduation from the University of Iowa with a bachelor of science degree, he joined International Harvester Co. in 1948 where he worked at facilities in East Moline, IL, St. Paul, MN and Chicago, IL, and retired as Manager of service parts operations in 1983.

Surviving are a son, Larry Smith (Kathy) of Surprise, AZ, two daughters, Susan Boudreau (Pierre) of Surprise, AZ and Amy Swailes of Onalaska, WI, two grandchildren, Zachary Boudreau (Kerstin) of LaCrescent, MN and Lisa Hilker (Gregg) of LaCrosse, WI and five great-grandchildren, Sam, Alex and Jacob Boudreau of LaCrescent, MN and Sophie and Winnie Hilker of LaCrosse, WI and a sister, Martha Heritage of Davenport. In addition to his wife he was preceded in death by parents, a brother, Harold Swailes and three sisters, Esther Hotchkiss, Agnes Hulen and Evelyn Brannan.

A memorial service will be held at 2 P.M. Saturday July 19, 2014 at Pedrick Funeral Home, Keosauqua, Rev. Douglas Harding officiating. Burial of cremains with military honors by Beer-Barker Post 113, American Legion, Keosauqua will be in Purdom Cemetery.

Source: Van Buren County Register; 17 July 2014; pg. A4