Walter Nitz

Walter "Wally" H. Nitz passed away April 30, 2007. He was born to Gustave and Clara Nitz in September 1930 in Los Angeles. The family moved to Hawthorne, where he graduated from Leuzinger High School in 1948. He then joined the Navy and was honorably discharged in 1955. Wally was a career law enforcement officer, serving 30 years with the Torrance Police Department. He was also a 43-year member and past exalted ruler of the Torrance Elks Lodge No. 1948. He had many accomplishments throughout his life, including earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from Redlands University, earning his pilot's license and his real estate license. Walter is survived by his wife of 56 years, Bonnie; daughter Christene Fontes and her husband, Bob, of Torrance; daughter Joyce Snyder and her husband, Stan, of Lomita; four grandchildren, Shannon Larison and her husband, Eric, of Lomita, Aaron Gray and his wife, Megan, of Torrance, Staci Lockett of Lomita and Lindsey Snyder of Lomita; and seven great-grandchildren. An Elks memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 11, at the Torrance Elks Lodge, 1820 Abalone in Torrance. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society.