Ward C. WALRATH

WALRATH, Ward C. Of Flint, age 91, passed into his Saviors loving arms on Monday, October 13, 2014 at Genesys Convalescent Center. Funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, October 18, 2014 at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint. Burial in Sunset Hills Cemetery with a military graveside service under the auspices of VFW Post #4087 Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the wishes of the family or Federation of the Blind.
Visitation 2-8 p.m. Friday and 12 p.m. Saturday until the time of the service at the funeral home. Ward was born in Flint on February 7, 1923, the only child of Ward C., Sr. and Vida C. (Holiday) Walrath. He was a proud student of Flint Central High School Class of 1941. He hired into Buick Motor Division, GM in 1941 and was a member of UAW Local #599. In 1943 he joined the United States Army as a chemical weapons specialist during WWII. He served in the South Pacific campaign and fought in the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, Borneo and the Philippine Islands. At the wars end, Ward also served a year in Nagoya, Japan during the occupation. He was proud of his service and continued his participation in the American Legion. He was a member of the Buick Motor Division #310 Drum and Bugle Corp. He was also a Boy Scout, Scout Master of troops #227 and #224 for 10 years. Ward and Mary Ellen enjoyed over 20 years of retirement in Florida. Ward leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 67 years, Mary Ellen; four children, Vickie Harris (Jeff Harrison) of Davison, Gary Walrath of Haines City, FL, Mark and Clark Walrath of Flint; granddaughters, Denise Griffith of Flint and Wendy Peraino of Burton; grandson, Mark Hohn-Walrath and wife Jen of Fenton; granddaughter, Jessica Walrath of Arkansas; great-grandchildren, Ashleigh and (Shane), Aric, Andrew, Alaina, Braden and Colton; great-great-grandchild, Jaxyn; sister-in-law, Carol Stephenson of Lincoln, MI; special nieces and nephews, Diane and Jeff Menz of CO, Dan and Barb Lewis of WI, Kim, Lisa, Scott and Jason of Lincoln, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, James Harris and niece, Debbie Cooper. Your condolences may be shared with the family at swartzfuneralhomeinc.com