Final Salute

Walter Willard Young was born July 30, 1927 in Ashland, and died on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at his home in New Bern, North Carolina. He was the son of the late Willard George Young and Eva Pearl (nee Fulk) Young.

He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Helen Ruth (nee Lattimer); daughter, Barbara Anne (Samuel) Bidwell of New Bern, North Carolina; son, Michael Walter (Rebecca) Young of Wellington; grandchildren, Carrie Ann (Christopher) Gibilisco of Westlake, John Walter Bidwell of Catonsville, Maryland, and Christopher Michael (Sarah) Young of Elyria and his great-grandchildren, Audrey, and Daniel Gibilisco.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister, Frances Louise; sister and brother-in-law, Margery and Robert Stannard, and brother and sister-in-law, Robert, and Margery Young.

When Walter was two, the family moved to Wellington, where his father founded the Wellington Implement Company in 1929. Walter attended school in Wellington and was a member of the high school football team his senior year. It was during his high school years he met the love of his life while captaining a school science project.

Upon graduation, Walter enlisted in the U.S. Navy, July 1945 during WWII, and served in the SeaBees. After basic training in Bainbridge, Maryland, he was stationed ‘aboard’ the U.S. Naval Base in Hueneme, California. Walter enlisted with his best friend, whom he met in kindergarten, Dr. Sidney Ray. Their serial numbers were one digit apart. Walter and Sid remained best friends throughout their lives.

After discharge from the Navy, Walter and Helen married on June 6, 1948, and lived over 60 years in Wellington. Later, they divided their time between homes in Wellington, and New Bern, North Carolina until 2015 when Walter retired, and they moved permanently to New Bern.

Walter began working part-time for the Wellington Implement in his youth and eventually became co-owner, along with his brother, the late Robert ‘Brigham’ Young, and brother-in-law, the late Robert Stannard. The business was eventually passed on to his son, nephews, and niece, and is still a family-owned business today.

Walter was a member of First Baptist Church in Wellington, joining Tabernacle Baptist Church upon his move to New Bern, North Carolina. He was a member of the Eagles and served on the Lorain County Fair Board as Treasurer. Walter enjoyed playing bridge with friends, flying airplanes, achieving a student pilot’s license, riding his motorcycle with Helen as co-pilot, attending Wellington High School football games, and watching his grandson, Christopher, play soccer. He enjoyed spending time with friends and family, especially his grandchildren. He had a wonderful sense of humor and will be greatly missed.

Calling hours will be Thursday, November 17th, 2022 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Norton-Eastman Funeral Home, 370 S. Main Street, Wellington. Services will be held Friday, November 18, 2022 at First Baptist Church, 125 Grand Ave., Wellington beginning at 11 a.m. and will be followed by a luncheon served at the church. A private burial will take place at Greenwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations to be made to First Baptist Church.

Norton-Eastman Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements and online condolences may be expressed at www.norton-eastmanfuneralhome.com