Walter Shirley

Walter Elgin Shirley passed away at his home in Evanston, Wyoming, on Sunday, January 20, 2013 at the age of 89.  He was born August 18, 1923 in Ontario, California to Thomas Elgin and Grace Shirley.
Walter graduated from Claremont High School in Claremont, California in 1941 and soon after moved to Providence, Rhode Island where he was a tool designer and drafting apprentice at Brown & Sharpe Manufacturing Company.  In 1945, Walter joined the US Army and served his country honorably during WW ll.  He then returned to California where he graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a B.S. in Engineering.  He married Joy Clark in Pasadena, California in 1955.
Walter was an engineer for Lockheed designing aircraft cockpits for many years until his retirement in 1980.  His interests included, working on automobiles in the garage with his sons, photography, camping, recreational vehicles, and playing handball.  He spent most of his life in California, but was a resident of Evanston, Wyoming for the last 9 years.
He is survived by his wife Joy, his sons; Kenneth (Cheryl) Shirley, of Evanston, WY, Steven (Cheryl) of Ramona, CA, and David (Beth) Shirley, of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA.  He is also survived by his grandchildren; Michael Shirley, Joy Shirley, Joseph Shirley, Jessica Shirley, Kathryn Shirley, and Lauren Shirley, as well as one great-grandchild, Logan Rhykus.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elgin and Grace Shirley, a brother Howard, and a sister Ople.
As were his wishes, cremation has taken place under the direction of Crandall Funeral Home.  A memorial service to honor his life will take place at the Evanston Alliance Church on February 1, 2013 at 4:00 Pm.