Traverse City, Michigan
TRAVERSE CITY — Sylvester "Bess" Walters, 84, died at his family farm after a long battle with cancer.
Bess enjoyed a passion for euchre; was an avid hunter; and a member of the VFW and the Eagles. He started Ace Welding in 1980, which thrives as a family business today.
Born Dec. 10, 1923, in Suttons Bay, he was the third son of Fred and Evelyn Walters. Bess married Margaret Belanger on 1943; she preceded him in death in 1995. Bess served in World War II in the South Pacific. He started his married life here in Traverse City after the war.
Bess had five sons, Arnold "AJ" (Helen) of Cedar Springs, Marv (Diana) of West Bloomfield, Gary Lewis Joseph (Cindy) of Traverse City, Wayne (deceased in 1976), and Terry (Beth) of Traverse City. There are 12 surviving grandchildren, Kaci, Kyle, Danielle, Rob, Justin, Jacob, Jeremiah, Ana, Heather, Kathryn, Kaylee and Robert; and five great-grandchildren, Korilyn, Rudy, Brittany, Gavin and Ryan.
Bess was one of 11 children. He was preceded in death by siblings Johanna, Fred, Joe, Betty, Mary and Ralph. He is survived by siblings Bernice and Robert, both of Suttons Bay, Thomas of Cedar and Pat of Lander, Wy. Bess also leaves many cousins, nephews and nieces; and a multitude of business associates and friends.
Visitation will be Friday, Oct. 10, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., with a 10:45 a.m. rosary, followed by an 11 a.m. funeral Mass, all at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Suttons Bay. A luncheon will follow at the VFW Hall in Lake Leelanau.
Flowers should be delivered to St. Michael's Catholic Church on Thursday. Memorial donations may be made to Munson Hospice House in Traverse City or for Masses at St. Michael's or St. Francis Catholic Churches.
This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.
Dear Terry & Gary,
Sorry to hear about your loss. I first met Bess through my dad[Henry{Buss} Ely] way back in the T.C. Iron Works days, & he helped me a lot w/special projects until he turned the shop over to Terry. My thoughts are with you & your families.
Terry Ely
October 13, 2008 | Lake Leelanau, MI
Marv: Please accept my deepest condolance on you father's passing. It was a pleasure dealing with Bess at Purvis Brothers, or at ACE. He would always take the time to share a "story" or two. He will be missed.
Joe & Carol Brzezinski
October 10, 2008 | Traverse City, MI
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.
Skip and Jan Mebert
October 10, 2008 | Suttons Bay, MI
Terry,Beth and Kids. You and the family are in our prayers.
Love Ya,
Bill and Karen Brady
William Brady
October 09, 2008 | Traverse City, MI
Remembered By
THE PURITY CREW
October 09, 2008 | TRAVERSE CITY
Dear Terry, Beth and Family,
We are sorry to hear of the loss
of your Father. Your entire family
will be in our thoughts and prayers during this sad time.
Your Friends, Debbie and Mike Whitten
Debbie Whitten
October 09, 2008 | Traverse City, MI
My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time of loss.
My fondest memories are the many nights we spent playings cards together.
Joan Straw
October 08, 2008
So sorry about your loss. Mr. Walters was a very kind man. My wife and I bought Christmas trees from him on more than a few occassions, and there were 2 instances where he showed his kindness. We didn't have a saw to trim the tree's trunk at home, so he let us borrow 1 of his saws, which we returned, and another time we went to cut a tree, but he wasn't home, and I came back the next day and paid for it, and he didn't seem to mind. And it was always nice to be able to say 'hi' to him when...
Thomas Baird
October 08, 2008 | Traverse City, MI
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Mark and Amy Galla
October 08, 2008 | Cedar, MI
