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Date of Death: March 28, 2002
Age: 60
Residence at time of death: Evansville, Wisconsin
Cause of Death: Bone Cancer linked to Smoking
Survived By: Wife Mary; Children Robin, Bryan and Brooke; Grandchildren Tony 23, Gina 21, Brynne 14, Bryce 12; Sister Susan ;4 nephews, 1 niece, 2 step children.
Wally was a Journeyman Iron Worker in Chicago for many years. He was a skilled handyman, craftsman, excellent golfer and bowler and was retired in Wisconsin at time of death.
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Sally Stillson (Bartlett)
Wally and I married when he was only 17 and I was 18 just weeks after I graduated from HPHS. We had 3 kids by ages 21 and 22 and by today's standards, that was pretty crazy. But, since he was only 60 when Wally passed on, I am glad he had grown children and teen-aged grandkids when he did.Wally did not actually graduate with us, as he was so behind in his school work, he chose to drop out senior year and go to work. He went to apprentice school and became a journeyman Iron Worker and made a good living and supported his family well in spite of lack of education. He was one of the smartest people I have ever known and although we had been divorced for many years when he died, I was very saddened by it.
He died too young. Smoking was a cool and sexy thing in our teen years...but unfortunately it was responsible for Wally's Mother's death at age 70, his at age 60 (2002) and his youngest sister's at age 57.
His sister Susan will be a guest at the reunion, and please check out her profile for some great pictures of Wally.
Michael Abelson
I was friends with Wally during my Sophmore year at HPHS largely because we both loved to play pool in Highwood. Much to my dismay I was generally the loser. I didn't know enough then to take lessons. In fact, pool halls, it turned out, were one of the many reasons my parents shipped me off to boarding school before junior year.I drove a convertable then, and Wally and I liked to cruise around with the top down. I often saw his Dad during these rides and thought him so cool, because he was the only father I knew who rode around on a motorcycle--of course no helmet then.
I was insanely jealous of what I considered Wally's oustanding good looks--riveting smile and wavy blond hair. But I felt he didn't use these to his advantage with girls. There seemed to be an aura of shyness or hesitation about him.
I can still see Wally leaning over the pool table with a cigarette hanging from his mouth, as he lined up for a shot. It was there that I could sense his true source of confidence--there, in that uncanny ability he had with a cue. Great memories!! Only wish I could get a rematch. I've practiced a lot since.
Dick Roach
Wally and I go back to before kindergarten (he lived across the street from my grandparents on Pleasant Avenue in Highwood). We went to the same grammar school (St James) and spent a lot of our free time at the Highwood Community Center in various sports activities and dances organized by Director Don Skrinar. We also worked together at Exmoor Country Club; first, as caddies and then in various Clubhouse positions. In high school we were part of the daily entourage to lunch at Rosie’s Highland Fling hamburger joint. We also spent a lot of time at PG’s pool hall in Highwood. Unfortunately, I rarely saw him after high school as I relocated to the Pacific Northwest.Susan Bartlett
My memories of my "big brother" Wally are precious to me. He was always kind and considerate of my sister Helen and me even when we tried to follow him, his friends and/or cousins. My sister and I watched the parade of boys that would come to our house and I must admit I had crushes on several. My theme song at that time was "Born Too Late"! I still remember the lyrics by heart and laugh.Wally was boyishly handsome, an incredible athlete, had an innate wisdom, and was completely unaffected. He had, as one of his classmates recently described, a shyness about him. I believe he inherited that from our Grandfather, Walter Wilde Bartlett, whose name Wally was given.
I remember the first time Wally brought his future wife Sally to our house. I thought she looked like a princess--they were all dressed up to go to a dance, and they looked beautiful together.
Please see the photos of Wally posted under my name.
I had the privilege to be holding Wally's hand when he passed away. He was peaceful, courageous, and dignified, and I will miss his smile forever.