Walter James Keane

Passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on November 14 in Elk Grove, CA. He is survived by his only daughter Jill Covert and granddaughter Danielle Anderson of Elk Grove, CA. He was great grandfather to Ali and Brooke Anderson. Wally was born in the Bronx of New York City to Sophia and Malacky Keane on June 5, 1922. He moved to California in 1932 to live with his Uncle Bill and Aunt Lulu while his mother moved to L.A. to find work. He attended Keppel Union School in Little Rock, CA. and Lancaster High School, in Lancaster CA. Wally joined the California National Guard which was mobilizing into the U.S. Army in 1940. In 1944 he married the love of his life Alice Robey. He was stationed in Germany during WWII and fought in the "Battle of the Bulge". He served 20 years in the U.S. Army and retired as Major from the "Presidio" in San Francisco in 1964. Following his military career he took a job as Correctional Officer with Folsom State Prison. He retired as an assistant to Warden Campoy in 1978.

Wally especially enjoyed the company of his daughter and son in-law in the great outdoors and his granddaughter Danielle "Dani" and husband Brian. He loved traveling hiking, golf, fly fishing, fly tying, harmonica playing, listening to jazz, gardening, bird watching, reading, writing poetry and storytelling. He loved spending time with his great granddaughters Alli and Brooke . He was predeceased by his wife Alice (Robey) Keane "Ali", wife of 62 years. Wally lived in Rancho Cordova for 54 years and in June 2014 he moved to Elk Grove, CA to be near his daughter and family.

We wish to thank the staff and residents of "The Commons at Elk Grove" for the care and friendship they provided. Wally's quick wit and sense of humor will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all those whose life's he touched.

Services will be held at Mt. Vernon Memorial Park on Monday, November 24, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.