Walter A. Shifflet, 86 years old, of Warsaw, Missouri, passed away Friday, March 3,2023 at St Luke’s Hospital on the plaza.
Walt “Sonny” was born in Washington D.C. on June 13,1936. The family lived in Upper Marlboro, Riverdale, Hyattsville area before settling in Greenbelt, Maryland.
In seventh grade he met his lifelong friend, George Hild, enjoying fishing, bicycling, swimming and being kids. He made money as a young man with a newspaper route, raising chickens, cutting tobacco two seasons and working as a clerk at the local grocery store. Walt graduated from Bladensburg High School in 1955.
Walt was drafted into military service May 1959 and after completing basic training in South Carolina he was joined in marriage to Jaqueline Burt on June 21, 1959. He served the Army as Communication Operator of a forward observation team in occupied West Germany. He received two accommodations for Good Conduct, Sharp Shooting and Marksmanship, before his Honorable Discharge, May 1961.
During his marriage he had five children, Jeannette Wingo, Sherri Marchi, Scott Shifflet, Steven Shifflet, Stacy Sherman. Walt provided his family with beautiful homes and many vacations and trips on the family boat, RV’s and gave them wonderful memories. Taught them, respect of others and responsibility. Walt worked two jobs many of the years he provided for his family. He moved the family to Missouri in 1977 and remained back in Maryland and worked for Western Electric for over 20 years as a switchboard communications operator and later an Installer until his retirement in August 1982. He moved to Missouri to be with his family once again and worked briefly for Reecer’s Funeral Home, he obtained his Real Estate license and was a Deputy for Benton County Sheriff’s Department until his divorce. He returned to Maryland in 1985, found employment as the Building Engineer of Suntrust Bank until his permanent retirement in June 2001. Walt was capable in all carpentry, plumbing, electrical, landscaping needs for any project that anyone could dream, he was “handy as a pocket on a shirt”.
Upon his return back East he began a courtship with his soulmate and love of his life, Nancy McNabb and they had a relationship that lasted over 30 years until her passing in September 2016. They created lovely homes for themselves and travelled and shared their passion for life. Walt returned to Warsaw, MO. in May 2017 after Nancy’s passing to reconnect with his family and friends.
Walt loved automobiles, boats and model trains his entire life and that never wavered. He was a member for over 17 years of the Solomon Island Model Boat Club, racing boats that he built from scratch and restoring models for the local museum. He enjoyed automobile races and knew many on the racing circuit, creating safety harnesses for many well know drivers with his creative upholstery gift. He was a member of the American Legions Hall, and a member of the NRA. He possessed over 100 cars, trucks and motorcycles in his lifetime that he maintained himself. Walt was a skilled engraver and enjoyed helping sports organizations with their awards, he just enjoyed the company of others until his sudden departure.
Walt was proceeded in death by his parents, Raleigh and Julia Shifflet, brothers, David, Wesley and Raleigh “Buddy” his sister Julia “Sissy” Greenwald and Jane Harper, his best friend George Hild and the love of his life, Nancy McNabb. He is survived by his sister Sandra Rowe, his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, Nancy’s family and many nieces and nephews.
Private, Family Interment will be March 18th at the Englewood Cemetery located in Clinton, MO. Celebration of Life at the American Legion Hall in Warsaw, Missouri will be held at 2PM that afternoon.
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