Wilbur Henry Walther

Wilbur Henry Walther, 87, died on August 3 in Fairfax, Virginia. Wilbur was born on January 21, 1926, in Jefferson City, Missouri. He grew up in Jefferson City, the third of four children of Wilbur Richard Walther and Christine Marie Walther (Bruegging).

Wilbur worked from the time he was 12 years old. His first job was as a newspaper delivery boy. In high school, he worked on an ice truck, delivering ice to households. After graduating from St. Peter High School in 1943 at the age of 17, Wilbur enlisted in the U.S. Navy.

He served in World War II aboard the USS Carina, a Pacific supply ship, and attained the rating of Petty Officer, First Class. While in the combat waters off Okinawa in 1944, the Carina was successfully rammed by a Japanese suicide boat. Wilbur, who was working on the bridge at the time, was later commended for collecting the ship's vital records before boarding his lifeboat (on the order to abandon ship).

After the war, Wilbur studied Civil Engineering at the University of Missouri, Columbia, and took a job as an engineer with the State of Missouri Public Service Commission. He married Agnes Marie Rackers of Jefferson City in 1949.

When Wilbur took a job in Washington, D.C., in 1956, he and Agnes moved to northern Virginia with four children. Wilbur worked at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, for the Rural Electrification Administration (REA). REA assisted rural electric and telephone companies in providing electric and phone service to rural areas that were not being served by established utilities. Wilbur retired from the federal government after 30 years of service.

While living in Virginia, Wilbur and Agnes had four more children and eventually settled in Vienna, where Wilbur lived for 42 years.

Wilbur was very active in his church. He was a communicant of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish (OLGC) since its founding, and a charter member of the Knights of Columbus, Santa Maria Council, serving as Grand Knight in the 1970's. He served in the Usher Ministry at OLGC Parish for over 42 years.

Wilbur was active in the community, as well. He was a member of American Legion Post 180 for over 50 years. In his retirement, he spent many enjoyable seasons playing softball with the Northern Virginia Senior Softball league.

Wilbur thrived among people, and he loved to have a good time. He loved young children and telling corny jokes. He was a perennial optimist. He enjoyed gardening, growing flowers and tomatoes or just strolling among his flowers and shrubs in the evening.

He especially loved music. He played the violin as a child, and he enjoyed many kinds of music as an adult - from classical to country. He put his engineering skills in service to his love of music when he built a stereo receiver and turntable. He was known for playing popular tunes on his harmonica - he could play almost anything by ear.



For the past five years, Wilbur has lived at The Virginian Retirement Community in Fairfax, where he enjoyed the social atmosphere and made many new friends. He received exemplary care at The Virginian and was very fond of all the attentive caregivers, for which his family is very grateful. The family would also like to thank Hospice for the special care they provided as well.

Wilbur and Agnes were married for 51 years. Wilbur was pre-deceased by his wife, Agnes, his brothers, Donald and Jerome (Jerry), his sister, Elizabeth Frye (Betty Ann), and his granddaughter, Lauren Tsai.

He is survived by eight children(spouses): Paula Tsai (Van), Deborah Rohloff (Richard), John Walther (Sandy), Ronald Walther (Toni), Linda Cashion (Robert), Thomas Walther (Julie), Mark Walther, and Mary McCune (Timothy).

He is also survived by eleven grandchildren: Michael Tsai, Geoffrey Tsai, Katherine Rohloff, Danielle Walther, Jennifer Walther, Daniel Walther, Brandon Cashion, Heather Walther, Lillian Walther, Spencer McCune and Connor McCune.

Visitation will be held on August 8th, 2 pm to 4 pm and 6 pm 8 pm at Money & King Vienna Funeral Home, 171 West Maple Avenue, Vienna, VA. The funeral Mass will be held August 9th at 1 pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 8601 Wolftrap Rd., Vienna, VA. Interment will be at Fairfax Memorial Park. If desired, donations may be made to: OLGC-Ushers, 8601 Wolftrap Rd., Vienna, VA 22182, and Catholic Charities: Diocese of Arlington, 200 N. Glebe RD Suite 506, Arlington, VA 22203

Falls Church, VA 22044

Funeral Home:

Money & King Funeral Home

171 W. Maple Ave.

Vienna, VA

US 22180