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Walter Byrne Obituary

Walter E. Byrne1911 ~ 2004  Walter E. Byrne , devoted husband, retired Hill Air Force Base machinist and antique dealer, died Dec. 18 of natural causes. He was 93.Born on April 6, 1911 in Park City, Walter Byrne was the eldest of three children of Edward Byrne, an Irish immigrant and miner, and Ruby F. Byrne, a civil servant and nursery school teacher. Walter attended school in Eureka, Utah; Sacramento, Calif.; and Los Angeles, Calif. After the death of his father in 1921, Walter helped support his family with a series of odd jobs at the old Hotel Utah in Salt Lake, Union Pacific bus lines in Ogden, and the Southern Pacific Railroad in Sacramento.  During World War II, he enlisted with the U.S. Air Corps, serving as a Corporal in Italy and North Africa. Upon his return to Salt Lake, Walter founded and ran the downtown jewelry store Byrne's Jewelry for approximately a decade.  Known as "Sonny" by friends and family, Walter went onto work as a form block maker at Hill Air Force Base for 21 years. On the side, he sold antiques. After retiring in 1974 from the base, Walter devoted himself exclusively to his antiques. Walter was preceded in death by his two younger siblings: Eugene Byrne, and Beulah Byrne Sullivan. He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Elva Madsen Byrne.  Sonny and Elva traveled extensively together and were always supportive of each other. Services will be held Tuesday Dec. 28 at noon at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 Highland Drive. A viewing will be held one hour prior to services at the Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Superior Home Care, 12493 South 3600 West Riverton, Utah 84065, (801)254-3200. Special thanks to Frank, Steve, Gene and Noel.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Salt Lake Tribune from Dec. 26 to Dec. 27, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Walter Byrne

Not sure what to say?





Cindy Ball

January 2, 2005

Uncle Walt,



It has been a true privilege to know you and call you my uncle. I'm especially grateful that I had the opportuity to spend time with you and Elva in the last few years. I enjoyed interviewing you and learning about your life and the Byrne family. You were quiet the adventurer and very brave to do the many things you did, such as, hopping a train car to California at young age.



I hope you and my dad are finding some old cars and junk to tinker with in your new life.



Love,



Cindy

Ed Byrne

December 30, 2004

Walt was one of the kindest and generous men I have know in my life. As a nephew, I fell very lucky to have had an aunt & uncle like Walt & Elva. They picked me up from one of the lowest points in my life and gave me hope and prosperity. I will never forget Walt's "dry" sense of humor.

Jennifer Paight

December 27, 2004

Aunt Elva and Uncle Walt. Their names are as connected as peanut butter and jelly. Whenever I think of Aunt Elva, I think of Uncle Walt. He wasn't a man of many words- Aunt Elva did most of the talking- but he always had a warm smile and a can of cold soda for his shy, out-of-state nieces. I haven't had the opportunity to visit Aunt Elva and Uncle Walt in many years, but I will always remember him as a gentle, kind, man with an enormous heart. I will continue to think of him whenever I think of Aunt Elva.

Love,

Jenny

ETHEL BYRNE

December 27, 2004

I HAVE KNOWN WALT, SINCE I WAS SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD, AND I ALWAYS THOUGHT OF HIM AS A SPECIAL PERSON. HE LOVED TO TAKE MY CHILDREN FOR "ICE CREAM CONES" AND THEY ADORED HIM. WALT, HAD A GREAT SENSE SENSE OF HUMOR, HE WILL BE LOVED AND MISSED BY ALL OF US. YOUR SISTER-IN-LAW. ETHEL

john & Carma Stebbins

December 27, 2004

Walt you will be missed. John and I thought the world of you. You will always be remembered and thought of. You and Elva were really a team. Love Carma and John

Kathryn Roberts

December 26, 2004

Walt was always a peaceful and serene man when we would visit with him and Elva. We enjoyed our visits with Walt and Elva and spent some good times with them in their home. Walt always greeted us with a warm smile and was very thoughtful of us. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to Walt's family, especially his dear wife Elva. Love Katy and family.

Marial Roberts

December 26, 2004

Uncle Walt was a wonderful example of a devoted husband, a kind and generous man and a very loving uncle. He was always glad to see family come. We had a nice time visiting with him and hearing of his experiences. He enjoyed traveling and loved reading the newspaper. One of my fondest memories as a child was having Uncle Walt bring us a can of pop from his secret stash in the refrigerator in the basement. He enjoyed spending time with his dear wife, Elva and other family. Uncle Walt enjoyed good food and watching television. I loved making candy and cookies to take to Uncle Walt. He was always so very kind and thoughtful to us when we came to visit. I loved to see him smile and the way his face would light up when he saw Aunt Elva are some wonderful memories I cherish of him. He was a dear uncle and a great example to me. I loved Uncle Walt and I will miss him! Love Marial

JUDY blair

December 26, 2004

DEAR UNCLE SONNY, I WILL MISS YOU AND WILL REMEMBER THE MANY, MANY TIMES YOU TOOK ME TO "SNELGROVES" FOR ICE CREAM. YOU WILL BE MISSED, I KNOW MAMA IS HAPPY TO HAVE YOU HOME. MUCH LOVE AND HUGS, JUDY AND "THE BOYS"

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