Walter Gail Featherston

Walter Featherston, 88, of Great Falls, passed away on Sunday, March 10, 2019.  A Funeral Service will be held this Saturday, March 16th at 11:00 AM with a Visitation one hour prior, at 10:00 AM, in the Rose Room Chapel at Croxford Funeral Home.  Following the Service, Burial will take place at Highland Cemetery.

Walter Gail Featherston was born in a log cabin on July 29, 1930 in Forsyth, MT to Gail and  Hattie Nugent Featherston.  His family moved to Oregon during the Great Depression, then back to Montana where they finally set roots in Great Falls.  In September of 1947, Walter joined the U. S. Navy and graduated from the Electronic school at Treasure Island in San Francisco, CA.  During his time in the Navy he worked in sonar communication on the USS Lofberg in the Korean War.

In December 1951, Walt went to work for Mountain Bell in Great Falls as an installer on the Highline for several years.  In 1952, he met and married Donna Rae “Jackie” Miller and they had four children.  They moved to Wilkenson Lane and survived the floods of 1964 and 1975.  Walt enjoyed horses and purchased several over the years.  He joined the Slow Poke Saddle Club where he and his children competed in the O’moksees, going to State several times.  Then polo became popular and he was very competitive on the polo team.  Hunting was something he enjoyed with his friends and family.  He also made many summer pack trips into the Bob Marshall with anyone who would go with him.

Walt’s wife Jackie passed away in December of 1980.  He was lucky enough to find love again, marrying Evelyn Charters Stotts in 1983.  She had five sons who joined the family.  He took the boys on several summer camping trips to Seeley and Holter Lakes.

Walt retired from Mountain Bell in 1987, then joined the Telephone Pioneers Club where he enjoyed many good times with his fellow coworkers.  He always wanted to travel and decided to purchase a fifth wheel camper and traveled the United States for six months.  He spent 25 years being a snowbird in Yuma, Arizona during the winter season.

He loved old cars and spent some of his free time refurbishing a 1948 Mercury convertible and a 1934 Ford pickup.  He joined the Skunk Wagon Antique Car Club, making many new friends. He also enjoyed the Moose Club, making more new friends.

Walt was diagnosed with lung cancer in July of 1991, where they removed his left lung and were able to catch the cancer before it could spread.  He survived 27 years with only one lung.

Survivors include his loving wife of 35 years, Evelyn; son, William (Phyllis) Featherston; daughters, Terri (Dick) Lyman and Becky (Kevin) Lynch; stepsons, Alan Stotts, Robert (Joyce) Stotts, Kenneth Stotts, Keith Stotts and Wayne (Eve) Stotts; sister, Edith Garten; brother, Archie (Evelyn) Featherston; fifteen grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Those who have preceded Walt in death include his parents; brother, Thomas Featherston; son, Robert Featherston; wife, Donna Rae “Jackie” Featherston.

The family is grateful for the extra time they were able to spend with Grandpa Walt after his fight with cancer. In lieu of flowers please send donations to any cancer research organization so others may be equally blessed.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.croxfordfuneralhome.com

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