SOUTHWICK—Walter W. Morgan, 94, died May 7, 2015, at the Soldiers Home in Holyoke. 
He was born May 22, 1920, in Springfield, to the late Walter Roberts
Morgan and Mabel Lillian (Walters) Morgan. He attended West Springfield Schools and graduated from West Springfield High School in 1938, where he lettered in track and soccer. After graduation he began working at the Springfield Armory where he became skilled in the Inspection Dept for the M1 rifles. He worked there until he enlisted in the Army on October 27, 1942. Due to his experience with M1 rifles at the Armory, Walt was assigned to the 537th ordinance Heavy Maintenance Co. as a small arms weapons mechanic. Walt and the 537th took part in the campaigns of Normandy, Northern France and Ardennes, the Rhineland, and Central Europe. He received the Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, and European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon. After the war Walt returned to the Springfield Armory. On May 20, 1946, at the Southwick Congregational Church he married his sweetheart Florence Johnson, whom he met at the Armory before the war. Walt left the Springfield Armory in 1949 to work for New England Telephone Co., retiring in l982. He was a committee member of Boy Scout Troop 114 in Southwick. He and Florence were founding members of the Pioneer Valley Square Dance Club of Westfield in the mid 1950’s, and were regular Saturday night dancers at other clubs in the area. Walt was a member of Elm Lodge of the Freemasons in West Springfield, later transferring to Mount Moriah Lodge in Westfield. He was a Melha Shriner and loved driving his Jeepster in parades and supporting the Shrine Hospital.Walt was an avid woodworker making furniture for family members, including a reproduction of Florence’s childhood rocking chair for each grandchild. He and Florence enjoyed traveling, camping, and church suppers. He volunteered at the Southwick Senior Center for many years. He leaves his son Walter and wife Karen of Northfield, MA; daughter, Jean Ketchale and husband Steve of Southwick, MA; grandchildren Adam Morgan and wife Lisa of South Glastonbury, CT; Shane Morgan and wife Kathryn of North Kingstown, RI;and Katelyn Morgan of Hartford, CT; Jodi Ketchale of Watertown, CT; Lori Grazia and husband Eric of Southwick,MA; Tami Westcott and husband Mike also of Southwick, and 13 great- grand children. He was predeceased by his wife Florence, brother Arthur, and sister Beverley. Walter’s funeral ceremony will be held on Tuesday, May 12th at 11am at the Southwick Forastiere Funeral Home, 624 College Highway,followed by burial with military honors at New Cemetery, both in Southwick. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Monday evening, May 11th from 4-7 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Walter’s memory may be directed to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104. For more information, please visit us at www.forastiere.com
