After a brief illness with cancer, Walt passed away peacefully at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena, MT on the evening of October 13, 2021 with his family by his side. Walt was 68 years old.
Walt was born on February 13, 1953 in Merced, California. He was the oldest and first son of Orville “Buzz” Eugene Blatherwick and Ruth M. Peterson.
Walt grew up in Merced, California where he received his high school education. After he graduated, Walt took on various part-time jobs including painting houses, which lead him to open his own business as a painting contractor. Walt was involved in softball, bowling, and other activities that he enjoyed. In 1973, Walt met the love of his life, Terry and were married on June 23, 1973. They had three beautiful children together. An amazing husband and father, Walt was always involved with his children’s activities from dressing up for Halloween and taking his kids out trick-or-treating, to coaching their various sports activities.
In 1991, Walt and Terry decided on a new adventure to Montana. Walt started his career as a cabinet builder with Kralicek Millworks where he worked for 23 years. After a fire caused the facility to close, Walt then carried his cabinet building skills to various cabinet shops. At the time of his death, Walt was working for BMC West.
Walt had many pastime hobbies which included but were not limited to; airbrushing, Model railroading, woodworking, and his most favorite of them all, bowling. Walt was an avid bowler where he became the captain of his team, It’s Us, alongside his best friend, John Covert. Walt spent many Wednesday nights and weekends traveling for bowling tournaments. In March of 2021, Walt bowled his first 300 game and was filled with pride at such an achievement. After that, no matter who you were, Walt was sure to share his exciting story.
Walt was preceded in death by his father, Orville “Buzz” Blatherwick; his step-father, Richard Peterson; and his nephew, Thomas Morris.
Walt is survived by his wife of 48 years, Terry; and their three children, Bridgette (Chuck) Tovey of Kalispell, MT; Sabrina (Erik) Jensen; and Keenan Blatherwick of Helena, MT; his mother, Ruth M. Peterson of Mountain Home, ID; his brother Gregory Alan Blatherwick of Spokane, WA; his sister, Debra Elaine Hayton of Mountain Home, ID; and his step-mother Victoria Jane Blatherwick of Albuquerque, NM.
Walt is also survived by his six grandchildren, Rebecca and Amanda Tovey of Kalispell, MT; Tyler Frantz of Osceola, IA; Maddy Blatherwick of Helena, MT; Christian and Mason Jensen of Helena, MT; one great-grandchild, Kinsley Eastham of Kalispell, MT; along with numerous nieces and nephews. Last but not least, his cat Milly, whom he called his “Baby Girl”.
Walt’s family would like to extend their appreciation to all the nurses and doctors with the Oncology Unit at St. Peter’s Hospital, for their care and kindness.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
1 p.m.
Saturday June 25, 2022
Sleeping Giant Lanes
3355 Tricia St
Helena, MT 59601
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
1 p.m.
Saturday June 25, 2022
Sleeping Giant Lanes
3355 Tricia St
Helena, MT 59601
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Chris Shields says
Walt was my next-door neighbor my entire life and always proved to be a friendly one. Whether it was with neighborly waves from across the street or long, friendly chats about the weather and other neighbors, he made an effort to be a good person. I was in our high school band all through high school so I had to carry my instruments to and from home and school regularly. There was a day during the Spring of my freshman year when all the snow had recently melted and caused substantial flooding all throughout our neighborhood. I happened to be walking home that day, instrument in one hand, textbooks and notebooks in the other, and a backpack on my back. The road we lived on was completely washed away with running water, drowning our respective yards and overflowing the drainage ways. I stood at the river of runoff for over 15 minutes calling my parents back and forth to try and figure out what I should do to get home. The only solution seemed to be to wait several hours until my parents could come and transport me. Walt happened to see me from his back deck and took action. He got in his truck, waded through the river and picked me up. All of my equipment barely fit into the cab but we did our best. He turned right around, drove back through the river and dropped me off at my doorstep. Of all the interactions I had with my neighbor this stood out the most. It sticks with me to this day because this simple gesture of kindness set a distraught kid’s worried mind at ease. Walt didn’t have to help me out, but he did and that shows exactly what kind of person he was. Our little cul-de-sac won’t quite be the same without him.
-Chris Shields
Dan Stinson says
I am terribly saddened to learn of Walt’s passing. I knew Walt in passing as part of the local “train guys” and as a quite friendly person to chat with when we might run into each other. We had a number of common interests, and if I’d know more about Walt’s background we’d have had even more to talk about. He was a skilled craftsman in so many ways,and I feel blessed and inspired that I’ve seen some of what I can only call his amazing artistry. The world is a little less for the loss of Walt. I pray that his family finds comfort and peace knowing that others share their sorrow of their loss.
Dan Stinson