Obituary for Walter Sheard
SHEARD, Walter
Walter Sheard, age 88, passed away on January 18, 2023, in Spokane Valley, WA. He was born in Bracken, Saskatchewan, Canada on February 27, 1934. Walt was the 9th of 11 children for his parents, William and Emily Sheard. His first home was in Turner, MT and then the family moved to Hamilton, MT. In 1945 they moved to Chewelah, WA before settling in Mica, WA in 1949. Walt graduated from Central Valley High School in 1953 and enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served from 1955-1959 in the 656th Bomb Squadron of the 68th Bomb wing for the United States Air Force Strategic Air Command. He served as a crew chief, airman 1st class on the B-47, the first all jet bomber. While stationed at Chennault Air Force Base near Lake Charles, LA, he was introduced to Joan Parker from Freeport, TX. They married on June 11, 1960 and move to the Spokane Valley. They later moved to Fairfield, WA in 1964 where he farmed until 1994.
He was active in the community, serving in the Fairfield Service Club, Fairfield Grain Growers, Dry Pea and Lentil Association, and the Washington Association of Wheat Growers. He built the church bell tower at the First Presbyterian Church in Fairfield where he served as an elder. Walt and Joan loved to travel together and have visited all 7 continents. They have cruised through the Panama Canal, sailed to Antarctica, traveled up the Amazon River, flown over the Arctic Circle and toured the pyramids in Egypt. Walt loved maintaining and sharing the family property up on Mica Peak. He could be seen driving around the property on his four-wheeler most days.
Walt is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joan Sheard; daughters Louise Sheard and Laura (Chad) Skidmore; grandchildren Brynna Biddle, Emily Gainer, and Quentin Gainer; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Emily Sheard; four brothers, John Sheard, Allan Sheard, Norman Sheard and Donald Sheard, and six sisters, Olive Bryson, Florence Newell, Margaret Blackwood Rasmussen, Anne Page, Verna Carr, and Eleanor Holmes.
A graveside service will be held January 26, 2 PM, at Pines Cemetery, Spokane Valley, WA, with a reception to follow at the Pines Mausoleum.
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Previous Events
Graveside Service
Thursday
26
Jan
2:00 PM
Pines Cemetery
1402 S. Pines Rd. Spokane Valley, WA 99206
Spokane Valley, WA 99216
Reception to follow in Pines Mausoleum
Cemetery Details
Location
Pines Cemetery
1402 S. Pines Rd. Spokane Valley, WA 99206
Spokane Valley, WA 99216
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