Walter Earl Dillman

Walter Earl Dillman

August 15, 1924—16 April, 2016

Walter Earl Dillman was born August 15, 1924 to Joseph Calvin and Mary Ethel Western Dillman in Bisbee, Arizona   Walter’s father was a Mexican border patrolman and a state cattle inspector so he grew up in multiple locations in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.    When Walter went to high school he lived with his Aunt Maggie Bingham in Safford, Arizona.  At Safford High School he met Claudia Bingham, the love of his life.  They went together until Walter enlisted in the Army Air Corps at the beginning of WWII.  Completed navigation training and sent to South Pacific as 2nd Lt. in 1943.  Completed 29 missions as B-24 Navigator. Retired as Lieutenant Colonel, Master Navigator, KC-135 Travis Air Force Base 1968. Awards include Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals.

At the conclusion of the war he returned to Safford and married Claudia on November 11, 1945.  They were later sealed in the Oakland temple and were blessed with two daughters.

He began his second career as a real estate broker in his own company.  After retirement, he and Claudia served 2 full-time missions for the LDS church in Nauvoo, (1993-94) an (1996-97), Following these missions they moved to Bountiful, Utah.

Walter was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He served as a Stake Clerk, a Stake High Councilor, and a Bishop for 9 ½ years in Fairfield, California.  He and Claudia were Oakland temple ordinance workers between their missions.  In Salt Lake, Walter served a Church service mission on temple square as a van driver to and from the airport.  He served as a “green coat” security guard for the state legislature for many years. With Claudia, they were primary teachers in their ward, loving deeply every member of their class.

He loved to read and camp with his family.  He enjoyed travelling, his favorite vacation spots being Hawaii and his beloved Arizona.  Most of his spare time was devoted to family history work, carrying his family line back hundreds of years and doing the temple work for them.

Walter carried on independently after Claudia’s death in 2006 until incidents of illness and old age necessitated a living change to the Legacy House in Bountiful.  Walter was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 61 years, his two brothers, his daughter, Wanda Jo Moscon Benton (Jim), one grandchild and one great-grand child.  He is survived by his daughter Jennifer Lu Felt (David), 10 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.  We are grateful he is finally reunited with his sweetheart

Walter’s greatest legacy is his deep testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and His restored church.  He was a good and faithful servant to the end.  He was an incredible example of courage, humility, leadership, and kindness. The family would like to thank the staff at Legacy House and the Aspire Hospice nurses for their kindness, care, and consideration to him for the last 3 years.

A viewing will be held Thursday, April 21, 2016 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Russon  Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah, and Friday, April 22, 2016 from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to the funeral service at 11:00 am at the Mortuary.