William Chester Waltman

William (Bill) Chester Waltman of Phoenix, AZ was called home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday November 7, 2022 following an illness. Bill was born on September 19, 1934 to William and Laura Waltman. He lived in Ohio with a large family. He was the youngest of 13 half and step siblings. Bill married Ethel Jean Johnston on July 28th, 1956. Bill and Jean had 4 children, Deborah, Cheryl, William, and Kathleen, in the Philadelphia area of PA, near his in-laws.

In 1973, Bill transferred to Phoenix, AZ with his young family for his job as a traveling auditor with Aetna. Bill and Jean loved spending time with their family and often took their kids to many National Parks for camping trips, to Indian ruins to teach history and culture to their kids, or cross country to visit family and get in more history field trips to Gettysburg, Statue of Liberty, and the Liberty Bell, just to name a few. After many years of tent camping, Bill decided that he preferred “Roughing it Smoothly” in his mini-motorhome. After many camping trips with growing kids (and friends of kids), Bill decided he needed to move up to full size motorhomes.

Bill and Jean had an open-house policy meaning if any (or all) of their kids’ friends were over during dinner time they were being fed with the family. Bill was a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and passed that on to his family. There would always be Super Bowl parties at the house even if the Steelers weren’t in it, …but when they were, the house was packed and decorated more than usual.

The house always was full of kids swimming, climbing the tree, building a fort, taking a break and getting a snack after bicycling around the neighborhood. When the kids grew up, those activities continued with the grandkids. The only thing Bill loved more than being a dad was being a grandpa. When the oldest 4 grandkids were little, they spent a lot of time bonding with Pop-Pop and Grandma and each other (all 4 boys). Even though he didn’t get to see all his grandkids grow up all year round, he was thrilled when they would visit and his face would light up.

Bill and Jean were thrilled when they became great-grandparents but wished they could have been closer to all of them.

When Bill was younger, he was a member of the Phoenix Jay Cees and loved helping his community. He was a deacon and choir member for many years, first at Westminster Presbyterian Church before moving to Glendale and changing to Northminster Presbyterian Church. He was an active member until his health issues prevented him from continuing.

Bill and Jean were active members of their retirement community where they helped plan many community activities. Bill always made time to help neighbors including driving them to appointments. Bill and Jean always enjoyed hosting people over for holidays if they had no family nearby. They believed no one should spend holidays alone.

Bill had a huge heart of gold for anyone and everyone. Bill had the patience of Job. He was a role-model for his son and his grandsons with his genteel manners and set the standard for the men in his daughters’ and granddaughters’ lives. He will be deeply missed by so many people of all ages.

Bill was proceeded in death by his parents, his 13 siblings, a great grandson, and his in-laws. He was succeeded by his loving wife of 66 years, Jean Waltman; their 4 kids, Debi Matasci Siegfried (Terry Siegfried), Cheryl (David) Hummer, Bill (Sharon) Waltman, and Kathleen (Marty) Gannon; 11 grandkids (and their spouses), Corey, Andy, Stefani, Gene, Johnny, Nicole, Ben, Julie, Angela, Jenna, and Tausha; and 11 great-grandkids, Adam, Angela, Ashton, Kaylin, Avery, Jax, Cooper, Luke, Riley, Sophia, and Brooklyn.

There will be a private viewing for family only. There will be a Celebration of Life luncheon on Sunday November 13, 2022 at 12:30pm at Northminster Presbyterian Church for family and friends. Please come share your memories with us and celebrate the time God has shared this wonderful man with us.