Monday April 20, 2020 at the age of 93.
Beloved husband of the late Shirley McGinnis (nee Ransin), Loving father of Steven (Anne) McGinnis, Peggy McGinnis, Nancy (Rex Jenkins) McGinnis. Dearest of friend to Jessye Spieckerman. Dear uncle, great uncle and friend to many. Loving son of the late Clara (nee Bell) McGinnis, Brother of the late Beulah Geist, Eugene McGinnis, William McGinnis, and Laura Francis Gerhardt.
He leaves a legacy of yodeling and song, which he shared throughout his life with his beautiful Irish tenor voice.
A memorial celebration of life will be held at a later date due to COVID-19. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Feed My People or charity of choice. Interment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery will be private.
The family wishes to express a special thanks to the entire staff of Southview Assisted Living where Everybody Loved Walter.
Rest well friend I will miss you
Ross Verbisky Southview
I loved Wally’s spirit of mischief and sharing joy! He will always have a special place in my heart. I am sorry to lose him as a friend and very sorry for your loss. He was truly a loving man and leaves a great legacy. May you find bits of his mischief and joy in the days to come.
We most certainly did love Wally…
Our love and sympathy comes your way as we celebrate the life of this wonderful man. Uncle Wally was a kind and gentle person. His gift of song will be heard in the heavens. He will be missed by all.
Walter was one of a kind, I am glad I got the pleasure to meet him, and hang out with him. Always called me Tiger if I saw him in the halls of Southview. Never a bad thing to say about anyone, and was always quick with a joke. I will miss our sit down conversations. Truly a great individual, wish we had more Walters on this planet
Adam Suchara
Director of Maintenance
Southview Assisted Living
We are so sorry for your loss. Our mother and mother in law lives at Southview (Jenny Scherting.) We had the opportunity to meet Walter while visiting Jenny. Walter was always so up beat and a real pleasure to speak with. As stated, “Everybody Loved Walter,” as did we. Janice and I will miss such a gentleman.
My sincerest condolences and deepest sympathy’s to the entire family, my prayers are with you all. I will truly miss my dear friend Walter and of course I will definitely miss his incredible hugs. As I walk down the hall I will always be reminded of him playing around by dodging me trying to get a hug (which I still got no matter what). I will also miss his infectious yodeling and how he would get others to yodel right along with him. I will miss the big sweet smile he would have on his face when I would see him. He was a very sweet, kind, caring and gentle man and loved his family deeply including Jax. Walter will always have a special place in my heart as he meant a lot to me and I will never forget him.
I have tears in my eyes reading Walters’ obituary & all of the beautiful messages for this extraordinary man.
Walter always had a smile for everyone. He loved his canasta games with his friends. I would put on fresh lipstick & give him a big smooch on his forehead. He would laugh & laugh!
Walter will be missed so very, very much by many of us.
It’s the end of an era.
God Bless you in heaven Walter. I’m sure you & Bill are catching up with one another.
With heavy hearts we offer our deepest sympathy to your family. Uncle Wally was always such a sweet and fun person to be around. I will always remember our family gatherings with him entertaining us with is his yodeling. Years ago he and Aunt Shirley came to a BBQ
we had and he started chasing my son around the backyard with a bucket of water and then threw him into the swimming pool. The kids loved him. Great memories I will never forget.
We are so very sorry for you loss. Your dad was a special man. Please keep us informed of memorial services. Mom was very sad to hear about your dad. Prayers for your family.
Dear McGinnis Family, Tom and I hope that you feel all of the love for Wally and for each of you as you go through this time. I loved your dad for his warm friendliness, his sense of humor, and of course his singing and yodeling! I am thankful that I had the chance to know him (and your mom) during my formative years. I always felt welcomed in your home and that your folks were interested in me and supportive of my endeavors. It warms my heart to think of your parents together again on the other side–no doubt looking down on you all with such love, pride and happiness. Much much love to you all <3
Mom and I are sorry for your loss. He was always a great neighbor with a smile and a wave! Prayers for all of Wally’s family.
You will be missed Uncle Walt!!! I really miss you and Uncle Gene telling stories.
McGinnis Family
I’m sorry for your loss of your kind, sweet dad.
I have very happy memories of my youth with my Pine Forest Dr friends; your family and Steve being some of my first friends, ever!
He did have a fantastic voice! I remember hanging over your house, on the front porch and this amazing singing coming from the front door!
Shirley told me it was Wally, but he was a bit shy to come to the door and sing!
May he sing on forever!