Walter was an only child who lived with his parents on Shuttle Street. After leaving Kilsyth Academy, he had the opportunity to become an apprentice bricklayer and this was to be a trade in which he would become highly skilled, developing his craft over many decades with a variety of companies. 

Towards the end of his career Walter took pride in teaching bricklaying skills to college students across North Lanarkshire. But throughout his life he took an avid interest in architecture and housing developments, always interested in their construction. ‘Walter built Walls’ - and took a pride in laying every brick. He would often say that any construction should look ‘pleasing to the eye.’ This was his word of advice for anyone undertaking any job; that it should be pleasing to the eye, and his workmanship always lived up to his own high standards. 

As well as being a former member of Kilsyth Probus Club, Walter enjoyed absorbing himself in discussions on current affairs, politics, and the church. In more recent years he took great pleasure from his daily newspaper, normally the Herald, as well as The Scots Magazine and the Church of Scotland’s Life & Work magazine, reading them all from cover to cover. 

In his earlier years he enjoyed driving and hillwalking as well as sailing from Helensburgh with his lifelong friend, the late Ian Chalmers, although they eventually sold their yacht (called Anitra) when it became apparent that Walter suffered from acute seasickness. Thankfully though that didn’t stop Walter from heading out to sea again on many a cruise with Marguerita. 

Walter was an active Elder in Kilsyth Burns and Old Parish Church as well as a member of the Fabric Committee until the debilitating onset of Multiple Sclerosis prevented him from dispensing his duties. The illness continued to undermine his physical capability until he became housebound and then bed-bound in Craig en Goyne Nursing Home, Kilsyth. But he accepted the deterioration in his health with great dignity, hardly ever complaining and always comparing himself to those less fortunate. 

Around 15 months ago Marguerita joined Walter in the Nursing home where they enjoyed one another’s company every day, eating meals together and watching television as though they were still living in their own house. Speaking of which Marguerita’s nephew Duncan McPhater Senior, fondly recalls that he and his family always enjoyed having Christmas dinner with Walter and Marguerita after which they would all play many a competitive game of charades.

Marguerita is still resident at Craig en Goyne Nursing Home, but, sadly, has health issues that prevent her from joining us today. 

Walter was a beloved husband, a brother-in-law to the late Malcolm and Myra McPhater, a cherished uncle and great uncle, a cousin, and a dear friend. He succumbed on Easter Sunday which will always be a poignant reminder of his passing, in the same way that New Year’s Day was always a celebration of his life. I’m sure we would all agree that Walter lived a life that was pleasing to the eye, of everyone who knew him. 

Thank you.

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