Mr. Walter Wilson Harper

Walter Wilson Harper was born in Missoula, Montana on July 17, 1923. He was the second of three sons born to Walter and Lida Harper. The family moved to Arcadia, CA in 1926 where they stayed for many years. Walter became an Eagle Scout at the age of 16. He graduated from Arcadia High and went on to graduate from Pasadena Jr. College before enlisting in the Navy in 1942. Walt proudly served in the Pacific Theater along with his brothers during World War II and was called home from duty when his older brother, Bill was killed in the service in 1945. In 1947 he married his sweetheart, Beth Basore and together they also had three sons during their 33 years of marriage. After the service, Walt enrolled at Cal Poly and earned several degrees, but his focus was Landscape Architecture and Soils Science which eventually lead him to open WW Harper Pools in 1955, a local company still run by family today. Walt was blessed with strength and enthusiasm for life. In his later years he left the pool business to pursue an interest in real estate working for Watson Realty. He went on backpack trips in his late 60's, enjoyed square dancing in his 70's, and climbed Half Dome in Yosemite at 79. Never afraid of new things, Walt decided he wanted to learn how to sing and joined his church choir at 84. He continued to drive himself to all his sons' and grandchildren's recitals, performances and sporting events. He has remained a longtime active member of Kiwanis Club of Kern, Bakersfield Builders Exchange, and a devoted member of Northminster Presbyterian Church. Walter is survived by his wife, Diana Harper; his son, Mark and wife Janine Harper; his son, Stan and wife Nancy Harper; his son, Doug and wife Ximena Harper; as well as his grandchildren, Matt and wife Kendra Harper, Jason and wife Ashlee Harper, Kelsey Smith, Emily and husband Josh Porter, Alexis Harper, Lindsey Smith, Whitney Smith, Griffin Harper and Bradley Harper. He was also blessed with two great grandchildren, Kadence Harper and Cason Porter. Walter is also survived by his younger brother, Monte and wife Enid Harper and their children, Bill, Debbie, Pam and Mike Harper; and his nieces, Andrea Neshime and Janine Sandoval. Services will be held at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3700 Union Ave., Bakersfield, CA, on Saturday, October 2nd, at 11:00 a.m.