Walter Elgin Shirley ~ Aug. 18, 1923 – Jan. 20, 2013

Walter Elgin Shirley

Walter Elgin Shirley passed away at his home in Evanston Jan. 20, 2013, at the age of 89.

He was born Aug. 18, 1923, in Ontario, Calif., to Thomas Elgin and Grace Shirley. Walter graduated from Claremont High School in Claremont, Calif., in 1941, and soon after moved to Providence, R.I., where he was a tool designer and drafting apprentice at Brown & Sharpe Manufacturing Company.

In 1945, Walter joined the U.S. Army and served his country honorably during World War II. He then returned to California, where he graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a bachelor’s in engineering. He married Joy Clark in Pasadena, Calif., in 1955.

Walter was an engineer for Lockheed, designing aircraft cockpits for many years until his retirement in 1980. His interests included, working on automobiles in the garage with his sons, photography, camping, recreational vehicles and playing handball. He spent most of his life in California, but was a resident of Evanston for the last nine years.

He is survived by his wife, Joy; his sons, Kenneth (Cheryl) Shirley, of Evanston, Steven (Cheryl), of Ramona, Calif., and David (Beth) Shirley, of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.; his grandchildren, Michael Shirley, Joy Shirley, Joseph Shirley, Jessica Shirley, Kathryn Shirley and Lauren Shirley; and one great-grandchild, Logan Rhykus.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elgin and Grace Shirley; a brother, Howard; and a sister, Ople.

As were his wishes, cremation has taken place under the direction of Crandall Funeral Home. A memorial service to honor his life will take place at the Evanston Alliance Church on Feb. 1 at 4 p.m.

Online condolences can be made at www.crandallfhevanston.com.