Obit: Backus, Walter Frank (1921 - 2015)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Backus, Kratzer, Severson, Lukes, Brice

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 12/16/2015

Backus, Walter Frank (4 July 1921 - 4 December 2015) With Flag

Walter F. Backus, 94, of Willard passed away Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, at the Clark County Rehabilitation & Living Center in Owen.

Walter Frank Backus was born July 4, 1921, in Willard, the son of Walter F. and Susan (Kratzer) Backus. He was raised on the family farm, received his education in the Willard area and graduated from Neillsville High School in 1939. He was united in marriage to Edith Ann Severson June 21, 1947, in Neillsville.

After high school, Walter went to work for Laab’s Dairy driving truck before entering the U. S. Marine Corps April 7, 1942. He served with the 4th Marine Division on Roi-Namur, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima, where he was present when the U. S. Flag was raided on Mount Suribachi. After his honorable discharge Nov. 1, 1945, he continued driving truck for Laab’s Dairy until 1951. Walter then went to work driving for Standard Oil until 1956, at which time he began driving truck for John Snedic. He bought the oil route from Snedic in 1961 and owned and operated it until retiring and selling the business to Cenex in Greenwood in 1995. Walter lived in Willard all of his life.

He had many interests but especially enjoyed bowling, hunting, playing baseball in his younger years, gardening, nature, the outdoors and playing practical jokes on others.

Walter was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, the Greenwood American Legion Post #238, the Neillsville VFW Post #2441, the 4th Marine Division Association, the Marine Corps League and the Chippewa Marines. He also served as the assessor for the Town of Hendren and served on the Greenwood School Board.

He is survived by his children: William, Les, Jim and Bailey (Jessica) Backus; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one son-in-law, Jeff Lukes.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Edith, Dec. 14, 2006; one daughter, JoAnn Lukes; one daughter-in-law, Janene Backus; a grandson and a great-grandson in infancy.

Funeral services for Walter will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015, at Holy Family Catholic Church, in Willard. Rev. Steve Brice will officiate, and burial will follow in Holy Family Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church, Saturday, from 9 a.m. to the time of service.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.  Cuddie Funeral Home of Greenwood, is assisting the family with arrangements.