Walter Bodman

Walter Bodman
July 4, 1927 - August 14, 2021
DuPont, Washington - Walter J. Bodman Jr., COL, USA, Retired
Walter J. Bodman Jr., of DuPont, WA passed away on Saturday, August 14th, 2021 at the age of 94. His life was full of joy, family, and lifelong friends.
Walter was born on July 4, 1927 in Eugene, Oregon to Elsie (Wooley) and Walter Bodman Sr. His family moved to Mowich, Oregon in 1936 to work at the Deschutes Lumber Mill, where his father was a piler and his mother was the camp cook. In 1944, at the age of 17, Walter moved to Portland to work in the shipyards. One year later in 1945, he was drafted into the Army as WWII was coming to a close. He was stationed in Germany where he was assigned to the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment and then to the 82nd Airborne Division.
When Walter returned from Europe he was accepted into Officer Candidate School (OCS). Before his program began in 1948, on a blind date with his best friend in Montreal he met the love of his life, Pierrette. It was love at first sight. After his graduation from OCS, Walter and Pierrette were married on November 19th, 1949. They enjoyed 71 years together, had four sons and were stationed all over the US, Europe, and Asia before finally settling in DuPont, Washington.
Walter proudly served in the United States Army for over 27 years. His service included combat duty in Korea with the 29th Infantry Division and in Vietnam with the 1st Calvary Division. His awards and commendations include the Master Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, Army Commendation Medal w/ two oak leaf clusters, WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Germany), Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), Korean Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Presidential Unit Citation (Korea), Vietnam Service Medal, Gallantry Cross with Silver Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal w/ oak leaf cluster, Purple Heart w/oak leaf cluster and Legion of Merit award. He commanded seven companies, three battalions and the 1st Signal Group at Fort Lewis, where he retired as a Colonel in 1973. Walter was equally proud of his education achievements, which included attending the Industrial War College of Armed Forces, Armed Forces Staff College, Command and General Staff College, and obtaining a Master's in Business Administration while on active duty.
After retiring from the Army Walter spent the next 48 years working on his various rental houses in DuPont, serving on the board of the America's Credit Union, and making many friends in the DuPont and Tacoma area. When not working, he enjoyed traveling, hiking, camping, fishing and hunting with Pierrette and his children. He was especially proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Walter was always smiling when family was present, or when he had hooked "a big one" while fishing. Walter Bodman lived life on his terms, with a smile on his face, looking forward to the next adventure.
Walter is preceded in death by his mother and father, brother Ivan, and his beloved aunt Helen. He is survived by his wife Pierrette, his sons Walter Bodman III, Dale Bodman (Mary Beth), Hal Bodman (Kelly) and Glen Bodman (Sherri), as well as his nine grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.
Services will be held at Mt. Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA on Monday, August 30th at 9:00am. The family asks that you consider donating to the American Cancer Society.