Walter W. Funston, 95, of Yakima, Wash., passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, at Crescent Health Care Center.

Walter was born April 7, 1912, in the gardener’s house on his grandfather’s estate, to Pogue and Ella Funston. He was high-spirited, adventurous and on the rebellious side, which led him to leave home when he was 14 years of age, to see where life would take him.

Walter had no desire to go into politics, like his grandfather, or the military, like his uncle, General Frederick Funston, who held martial law over the San Francisco earthquake in 1906. Walter spent over five years on the rails with his two best friends.

He had several brushes with death during these turbulent years. Some of these included being forced to leap from moving trains at gunpoint. He was also lost for a week in the Florida Okefenokee swamp, doing his best to dodge alligators.

In later years he kept his grandchildren riveted with his stories of his wild adventures. He meant the world to his grandchildren and was a very loving and supportive father to all of his children.

Walt finally found his niche as an iron worker in his early 20s and taught himself to read blueprints for dams and bridges. At the age of 27, he met and married his sweetheart, Lois Harling, after dating for only 17 days.

Lois was a quiet country school teacher, teaching grades 1-12. Needless to say, life with a strong-willed and high-spirited husband was a little bumpy at times.

Walt was a natural at his craft and became a foreman and superintendent, and instructed large work crews to tie steel on all but two of the Columbia River dams and many bridges. He took pride in his trade and retired at 65, only to be called back because his expertise was needed to help build the Bonneville Dam. He permanently retired at age 69.

At age 70, Walter was spiritually born again when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He and Lois had 20 years to enjoy a much tamer life, and the home they had built in Hood River, Ore. After retiring, he was an avid fisherman and loved bowling.

He is survived by his loving wife, Lois, and daughters Leone Nunley, of Yakima, Wash., and Sandra Alm, of Graham, Wash. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Walt was preceded in death by his parents, three siblings and one nephew. He will be missed by all of his loving family.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 13, at Keith & Keith Terrace Heights Chapel, 2807 Terrace Heights Drive, Yakima, Wash. A short period of time for visitation will be available after the funeral. Burial and graveside committal will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 14, at Mountain View Memorial Cemetery in Hood River, Ore. To share a memory of Walter, visit www.mem.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Keith & Keith Funeral Home.