Walter Michael Whalen

Walter Michael Whalen, born March 8, 1937 in Jersey City, New Jersey, passed away on Nov. 30, 2022 at home in Elgin SC, surrounded by his family. Walter was a retired proud Vietnam veteran of 20+ years with the US Army. He was awarded numerous military honors to include the "Vietnam cross of gallantry with palm leaf." After retiring he worked with the Department of Corrections training academy as food service director, transferring to the S.C. Fire Academy as the Fire Director to open the new academy. Raised as a master mason in Dentsville Lodge #398, was a York Rite mason York and Served 36 years with the S.C. Shrine and was Original member of Jamil Wheels Characters and Jesters. He served with many potentates, hospitality and entertainment chairs. He especially loved to work with food service, to include his favorite of all "Little Pigs BBQ".  Loved by all of his 23 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. He is survived by his wife,  Judith Whalen; children, Catherine Whalen (Blondie), Larry Whalen (Sharron), Barney Whalen (Tammy), Sandy Knight (Donnie), Susan Clegg (Danny) and Debbie Simcic. He is proceeded in death by father, George Whalen, mother Catherine Fortune Whalen, sister, Catherine Toth, son, Andrew Yelenic, grand daughter Crystal Graves, and great granddaughter Dakotah Traven. He was lovingly known as "pop".

Please make memorial contributions to the Shriners Childers’s Hospitals.

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