Our beloved Walter Ray Hall, Jr. lost his battle with Prostate Cancer on June 9, 2012. He will always be remembered as the greatest host in life. Even in his last stages of cancer Walt was concerned more about others than himself.

Walt to most of us, "Walter" to wife Joanne, "Dad" to children Brian and Sara, "Wally" to mother, sisters, and high school friends, "Walka" to grandnieces, and "Pop-Pop" to granddaughter Sophia, was born to Walter and Claire Hall on June 6, 1941, in Lead, SD. He moved with his family to Rapid City, SD, at the age of two, and remained there through childhood. Walt graduated from Rapid City High School in 1959, leaving soon after but returning often for reunions. Though Seattle became home, his heart remained in the Black Hills.

Walt attended the University of Denver where he pledged with the Kappa Sigma fraternity. He could regale you with stories of mischief and inspiration from his Kappa Sig years. Walt had a special bond with his fraternity brothers throughout his life.

While attending DU, Walt met Susan Haslund, his first wife and mother of their children. They settled in Seattle in 1968 where Walt established a successful property management company with the help of his father-in-law Fred Haslund. That career, from which he ultimately retired, led Walt to the AGC building -– to which he became synonymous, forming close relationships with many including two of his dearest friends.

Walt was active in the Boys and Girls Clubs (B&GC) of King County for a quarter century. He served as board President for both the Mercer Island and King County clubs. Walt chaired the B&GC Capital Campaign in the mid-80s resulting in refurbished and in some cases new buildings for all King County clubs.

In 2000, with the help of grandnieces Anneliese and Madelaine, Walt surprised his high school sweetheart, Joanne Atwater, with a marriage proposal on the shores of Lake Washington. Walt and Joanne were married soon after in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Walt is survived by his wife, Joanne; son, Brian Hall (Mindy Ziffren-Hall); daughter, Sara Hall (Dustin Struckman) and their daughter, Sophia; sisters, Lois Cruse and Dian Goldberg; half-brothers, Pat, Bill, and Mike Hall; niece, Susan Pyatt and her daughter, Deandrea; nephew, Jeff Pyatt (Paula) and their daughters, Anneliese and Madelaine; and many other nieces and nephews.

His parents and sister, Shirley predeceased 'Wally.'

Walt's family is grateful for the loving and dedicated staff at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, especially Anne Reese, Evan Yu and Stacey Shiovitz.

There will be a celebration of Walt's life from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 17 at the Harborside Restaurant in Seattle.

Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 30, at Walt's church, Island Christian Fellowship on Camano Island.

The world has lost a storyteller, an entertainer, a singer of silly songs, a champion and one of its finest human beings. Those of us who were fortunate enough to be a part of Walt's life will always hold him dear in our hearts.

Remembrances in Walt's memory may be made to Doorway of Hope Ministries, PO Box 1244, Stanwood, WA 98292.
Published in Rapid City Journal on June 17, 2012