Walter Ernst Stocker was born in St. Gallen, Switzerland on November 5, 1932 to Gottfried Stocker and Martha Isler. The excellent education and training he received while growing up in Kronbuhl, Switzerland were the catalyst years which contributed to his developing a work ethic which was not often matched. He never met a work task he could not handle and worked full-time until age 82 in five varied types of employment. He was an employer’s delight.

His professional job training in Switzerland was meat processing. When he immigrated to the U.S.A., not speaking English, his first job was at the Stockton, Illinois meat processing plant. He was employed there for a few years before accepting other meat-processing work in Hebron, Illinois and Janesville, Wisconsin. It was in Janesville that he met his wife, Doris Ann Wyss. In June of this year, they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

After marrying, Walter and Doris moved to Stockton, Illinois where Walter was in a partnership business with Swiss friend, Heinz Zueger. Doris and Walter raised three children, Carla, Jon, and Jeff. The family lived in Stockton for 28 years, and Doris and Walter lived in Rockford, Illinois for 24 years before moving to North Carolina where they have been residing for 13 years.

Walter was always the happiest when he could be doing healthy, outside activities. Motorcycling, swimming, water skiing, mountain hiking and downhill skiing (especially in his beloved Switzerland) were his favorites. His hands-on helpfulness to others, good sense of humor, faithful prayers for all in need of the Lord’s intervention, rosy cheeks and charming Swiss accent will be missed by those who have known him.

Walter leaves behind a large, God-blessed family who will miss him dearly. Survivors include his wife, Doris; daughter Carla (Dave) Crosby and grandchildren Ben (Sarah), Bethany (Henry) Brewer, Sienna (Philip) Stanton and great-granddaughters Eleanor and Adeline Stanton; son, Jonathan (Grace) and grandchildren Hannah and Daniel; son, Jeffrey (Terri) and grandchildren Abigail, Drew, Timothy, Evan, Lane, Clayton, and Chase; brother, Gottfried Stocker, and goddaughter, Regula Stocker, both of Switzerland. Other family members include: Stocker and Isler cousins in Switzerland; nieces and nephews: David (Robin) Ritland, Steven (Shanon) Ritland, Cheryl (William) Hailey, Heidi Rincon, and James (Carla) Wyss; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

At Walter’s request, at a future time to be determined by the family, his remains will be interred at Ladies Union Cemetery in Stockton following a graveside service of Christian committal.

May Walter’s memory be a blessing to many.