Walter (John) William Hess, Lieutenant U.S. Navy (Ret), 83, of Sedro Woolley, went home to be with his Lord on Thursday, September 17, 2015. Walt was born on January 8, 1932 to Benjamin Hess and Mildred (Lindsey) Hess in Canton Illinois. He was married to Jean Martin in July 1991.
Walt joined the Navy in 1950. After basic training, he was a Damage control Technician on the USS Cavalier. Then he was stationed in Sasebo, Japan. From there he was stationed at Moffet Field, California where his daughter, Theresa was born. Then they moved to the island of Guam and was present for the most violent typhoon to ever hit the island (Typhoon Karen, November, 1962). While on Guam, he was promoted from Chief Petty Officer to the rank of Ensign commissioned officer and later attended officer training in Philadelphia, PA.
His next duty station was as assistant docking officer on board the floating dry dock, USS Alamogordo in Charleston, SC. While in Charleston, both of his sons were born. While his family remained in Charleston, he received orders to the aircraft carrier CVA 42, Franklin Delano Roosevelt (nicknamed the “Rosie”).
The ship was home ported in Jacksonville, FL, where he did a Mediterranean cruise and served as Assistant Master of Arms. His final duty station was in Bremerton, WA for the prototype and development of the Navy’s hydrofoil program. He retired April 1st, 1975 at the rank of lieutenant.
After the navy, he joined the plumbers and steam fitters local #631 in Bremerton where he was employed until April of 1989, when a car accident ended his career. Some notable projects he worked on were the new Naval Hospital at Jackson Park and the nuclear power plant at Satsop, WA.
He made his home in Sedro Woolley in 1991.
Walt was a quiet, gentle soul who loved God and his family very much. He also loved fishing, hunting, reading and gardening to name a few.
Walt is survived by his wife, Jean Hess of Sedro Woolley; daughter, Theresa Lynn Gardner (John) of Goldendale, WA; sons, John Benjamin Dalzell of Coeur D’Alene, ID and Michael Scott Hess (Tammy) of Bayview, ID; brother, Frank Hess (JoAnn) of Canton, IL; 5 stepchildren, 16 step-grandchildren, and 9 step great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Mildred (Lindsey) Hess; brother, James Hess.
A Funeral Service will be held Friday, September 25, at 1:00 pm, at Central Valley Assembly of God, 1551 E Rio Vista Ave. Burlington, WA. A time of visitation will be available from 9:00 to 5:00, Wednesday and Thursday at Lemley Chapel, 1008 Third Street, Sedro-Woolley.
Our thoughts and prayers and love to Jean in the loss of beloved hubby and to rest of family. We did not get to know him but in a way knew him because of the loving addition he was to all the family and how he cared for and loved Jean.
I could not have asked for a better step Dad than Walt Hess. He was such a quiet, loving, gentle and generous man who was so easy to talk to. Some of the attributes I respected the most about Walt was his faithfulness to his Lord and church and his nonjudgmental love for his kid’s and step kid’s. His greatest attribute however, was the way he adored, cherished and doted on my mother. I never worried about my mother because Walt was always there to provide for her. For all these things I will be forever grateful to Walt and consider myself extremely fortunate to have had him in my life. You will be missed and thought of often.
Love Greg
The Father-in-Law I came to know and love was a kind, quiet, loving and humble soul. He never needed to be the center of attention, but we all know he was the center of the universe for our mom. He doted, spoiled and adored her until the end. He was the world to her and I only loved him more for making her feel incredibly special and loved. We gardened and canned together, celebrated holidays and special occasions together and spent time just enjoying life. I will miss his subtle laugh – the way his shoulders would move up and down ( it was one of the tell tale signs he was enjoying himself ). He was a special and very loved man. Until we meet again Dad. All our Love.
Dear Papa Walt,
I wish I was there to deliver this message myself. I hope that you can hear me from heaven and know how dear you are to me.
I first met you when I was in junior high, and I was sure that you were bad news. It was with great certainty I knew that you were going to take away my dear, precious Granny and never let her have any fun ever again. I couldn’t have been more wrong as you have given me the most wonderful gift I could have hoped for in a grandfather. You gave me the gift of my Granny, without any strings attached. You loved her so much that she is able to live life as her best self- loving, gracious, kind and full of laughter. I know that she was all of those things before you came along, but your love enhanced all of those wonderful qualities in her. Your love for her meant that she could be my friend. How many people can say that their Granny is their friend? I can. Thank you for that. Thank you for loving me as your own, with grace and kindness. Thank you for your quiet generosity and love for my family. I am forever blessed to have called you my Papa Walt. You will always hold a special place in my heart. I love you!
Yours affectionately,
Melissa