Walter Joseph Werner

Walter J. Werner (67) February 4, 2026 passed at his home in Leadville Colorado with his wife, June at his side exactly the way he wanted. Walt was born and raised in Merchantville NJ  predeceased by parents Barbara and Walter L. H. Werner.

Walt is survived by his wife June Lucas, stepson Eric (Mitch), grandsons Dominic and Torin, Walt’s sisters and brothers Barbara Kelly (Kevin), Warren (Kathie), Pam Blair, Kim Dapper (Dave), Christopher (Diane), Joseph and many nieces and nephews.  Walt’s Sister and Brothers in law Vera Lucas (Tim Martinez) Larry Lucas and Leroy Lucas and many nieces and nephews.

Walt graduated from Pennsauken High School in New Jersey in 1976. He worked for many years at the Day Mines in Colorado and many more years at the Leadville Water Company. Walt retired from the Leadville Water Company in 2022.

Walt was a unique man in that he did not compromise in life. He said yes when he wanted to say yes and no when he wanted to say no.  Walt was an avid and lifelong outdoorsman. He rode his bicycle from Merchantville to Wildwood New Jersey to swim or go crabbing as a teenager. He was a competitive skier in his early Colorado days. He loved nature and always saw the beauty of it. The sky, the trees, the mountains, the birds, the ocean….   He saw beauty wherever he was. He hunted ands fished and loved to eat what he caught! Adored by his grandsons Walt was a proud gramm-Pa when his grandsons got their Hunter Safety Licenses with him. He also passed on many traditions to his nieces and nephews like cooking clams “correctly”. Shooting guns, firing toy cannons, or identifying birds.
He liked to tinker with guns and his motorcycle and of course ride his motorcycle which is how he ended up in Leadville.  
Walt was smart ,not just one subject smart or superficially smart. He made it his business to find out about something in-depth. Walt always found a way to tie it back to something in your life so you knew you were special to him.   Walt had a knack for making people feel special.

Someone in Leadville told me he was the unofficial mayor. Walt would ride around with his window down no matter the temperature giving everyone a nod or a wave.  He was also selfless and never a bragger. Several people in town mentioned about a time Walt “saved a man’s life in a mine” without concern for his own life. Or “saved the day on a job at the water company” and if you ask Walt about it you just get his famous smirk, double chuckle “heh he” and a “shrug”  like it was just another day. 

Walt lived his life unapologetically, contentedly and happily making Walt comfortable with who Walt was. Most of all, Walt was well loved and somehow that reflected back out of Walt making the people around him feel loved without him ever having to say it.

A celebration of Walt’s well lived life will take place at his Eagle Lodge on June 27, 2026 in Leadville, Colorado.