Walter Bub Leo Tennant

Walter was born in Oriskany Falls, NY on March 31, 1939, to Leo and Elizabeth (Schroedel) Tennant. He graduated from Madison Central School in Madison, NY in 1956. In high school he met Shirley Marie LaMunion. After graduation Walter enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. After boot camp he returned home, and married Shirley on October 12, 1957, in Oriskany Falls. Walter was stationed in Paris for a while then he and Shirley were stationed at Larson AFB in Moses Lake, where their first daughter was born. He was discharged from the service and moved to his home town of Knoxboro, NY where he worked in administration at the Griffith AFB in Rome, NY. In 1964 Walter returned to the Columbia Basin and helped in developing the “Soil and Crop Service”. In 1980 Walter was hired to help run the Earl Fegertt Mining Business. He spent much of his time at the Beatty Nevada operation. In 1984 Walter went to work with Skone & Conners farms as the project manager for the Russet King project. When the project was up and running Walter moved to Pacific Produce as the plant manager where he worked until he was forced to retire for medical reasons in 1993.

Walter enjoyed the outdoors; he would take his family on many camping and hiking adventures. He climbed Mt. Adams once and Mt. Rainier twice. His children remember the family drives to visit historical sites and museums. He was a great history buff, especially when it came to WWII. He was a charter member of the Othello Rotary club, where he served as president and received the Paul Harris Fellowship award for service. He was the past president of the WA. ST Potato Commission, a Port District Commissioner and a member of the Adams County Development Council. He was also a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

We will remember him as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother. His whole being would light up when his children, grand and great-grandchildren would come into the room. He was a great communicator and believed in getting things done. He refused to accept the comment “we can’t do that”, he would find a way, and if it got tough he would always fall back on “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

Walter was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Shirley of Othello, Son Steven and daughters Christine and Cindy Tennant, all of Othello, his sisters Elizabeth Rockwell of Irondequoit, NY and Kathryn Foster of Othello, his grandchildren Matthew Tennant of Seattle, Alyssa Edlin of Othello and Ashli Edlin of Pasco, and his great-grandchildren Jay and Jocelyn.

Walter’s family will greet friends on Friday 1/11 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Stevens Funeral Chapel, and a rosary will be prayed at 6:00 PM. A memorial mass will be celebrated on Saturday 1/12 at 10:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. To leave a note for the family and to sign the guest book please visit stevensfuneralchapel.com.