Walter Little

Walter Lewis Little, 99, passed away Aug. 3, 2004, at his residence in Hungry Horse.

He was born on Jan. 25, 1905, at the family home in Rockford, Wash., to Lewis Elzy and Stella Nora (Morris) Little.

Walter received his education at Rockford until the age of 16, when he began work at his parents' feed store. They had two businesses on Sprague Avenue in Spokane. The family also had ranches in Pleasant Valley, where he also worked for many years. He worked as a mechanic on Department of Defense Projects, including the Grand Coulee and Hungry Horse dams. He was an avid agate collector and was the proprietor of the Ball & Chain Agate and Antique Shop in Hungry Horse.

He was a longtime member of the Moran Prairie Grange No. 161 in Spokane. He was a very active member of the Senior Citizen centers in Kalispell, Whitefish and mainly Columbia Falls the last few years, where he enjoyed playing pool and cards.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents; his wives; his daughters Nadine Murray and Colleen May Gay; his son Walter Junior Little; a grandson, Larry Gay; a brother, Jacob Little; and three sisters, Frances, Rosa and Dollie.

He is survived by his grandchildren, Shelene Erickson and husband, Ron, of Hungry Horse, Pam Gay, of Spokane, Georgine Sampley and husband, Robert, of Spokane, Terrigene Gomez and husband, Jim, of Spokane, Larry O'Neil and wife, Chris, of Sicily, Diana Bauer and husband, Jack, of Columbia Falls, Dacia Stone, of Troy, and Koni Davis, of Puyallap, Wash.; 25 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

There will be no services at this time. The family suggests memorial gifts be given to the North Valley Senior Center, P.O. Box 676, Columbia Falls MT 59912.