Walter Dilley

Walter L. "Junior" Dilley, 88

Paynesville

Jan. 16, 1927 - Oct. 14, 2015

 Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 30, 2015, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville for Walter L. "Junior" Dilley, age 88, of Paynesville. Reverend Glenn Krystosek will officiate. Relatives and friends may call after 9:30 AM on Friday at the church.  Burial will take place in the St. Louis Parish Cemetery.

After a lengthy illness, Walter passed away peacefully at the home of his oldest daughter, Jacquie, on Wednesday, October 14th, 2015. He was surrounded by his loving family.  Walter, affectionately called "Junior," was born in New London, Minnesota to Walter and Bessie (Berg) Dilley, one of 9 children.  Walter graduated from New London High School, and attended Hamline and Augsburg College. He married Rosemary Ann Thielen on August 19, 1950.   Walter and Rosemary had seven children—6 girls and one boy and shared a loving 61 years of marriage.

Walter is survived by his children, Jacqueline Richardson (Reginall) Simi Valley, CA, Deborah Dilley (Ken Rosenberg) of Santa Clarita, CA, Pamela Mitchell (Tom) of Granada Hills, CA, Jayne Ochs (Dave) of Hugo, David Dilley (Jan) of Alexandria, Theresa Gavinski (Tim) of St. Michael, and Melissa Dilley of Sartell; beloved grandchildren Jay, Sean, Kenny, Ashlee, Christopher, Josh, Nathan, Lauren, Emily, Olivia, Courtney, Madison and Paige, along with great grandchild Shia. Walter will forever be remembered by his devoted brothers, Dennis Dilley and Virgil Dilley (Amy); and his in-laws of 61 years, Jim Taylor, Lawrence "Peewee" (Jan), Harold (Pat), Louie and Cathy, and all of his nieces and nephews. There are countless friends and family whom were blessed to know him as well. Walter loved his family and the family gatherings were very important and joyful to him. 

Walter was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rosemary (2011) and siblings Floyd, Leonard, Mattie, Irene, Gladys, and Marjorie; as well as one granddaughter, Cari.

Walter was always a great athlete, recently selected for the All Century Basketball Team at his alma mater, New London High School.   Walter was a very gifted athlete, but always humble.  He was recruited to play professional basketball for $250 a month in 1949, but declined the offer to begin a life with his lovely wife, Rosemary.   Walter loved every sport and his kids would tell you that he would be watching sports on television, while listening to another game on the radio and reading the sports page of the Minneapolis Star and Tribune, all simultaneously!  When Walter came home from work as a Manager with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Rosemary used to say the yard "looked like it rained bicycles!"  Kids from all over would come to the Dilley house for a baseball game with every position filled by some neighbor kid.  Walter retired from the Department of Natural Resources at age 62.  During retirement, he was able to golf as often as he wanted.  He wrote many columns—"Top of the Hill"--for the Paynesville Press.  The Koronis Hills Golf Course was clearly the top of the hill in the second half of his life.  He enjoyed his golf outings and visiting golf courses wherever he went, including Pebble Beach, Hawaii, California, and dozens of courses all around the State of Minnesota.  He was an active member of the Paynesville Lions Club and the St. Louis Knights of Columbus Council 3820.  In addition to his position as Manager for the Department of Natural Resources, he was also janitor at night at St. Louis Catholic Church for twenty five years. 

Walter touched the lives of many people with his great sense of humor and his loyalty to those he loved.  Walter is an unforgettable man by anyone who had the pleasure of meeting him.

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers to the Rose Center in Paynesville, Silverado Hospice or donor's choice.