Walter L Easton, Jr.

Duanesburg – Walter (Wally) Easton Jr., 94, of Duanesburg, passed away quietly at St. Peter’s Hospital on Wednesday,  November 22, 2023.

Wally was born on May 25, 1929 near Esperance, NY to parents Walter and Hazel.  While his life began on his family’s farm, he realized that farm life did not suit him. By age 10, he was helping out at Riverside Garage in Esperance.  He became known as an expert mechanic and an extremely hard worker.  While still in high school, he started a business rebuilding automotive starters and generators which eventually became the full-service garage, Esperance Auto Electric. In 1948, he married the love of his life, Ruth Dutcher and started a family. 

Early in his adult life he and Ruth built a building for their business, a home for his infirm parents and a home for their family. For a time in the early 1950’s, Wally also worked nights at the GE Steam Turbine plant in Schenectady. He later sold his business, worked at the GE Gas Turbine plant and then became a very successful Snap-on Tools dealer. Along the way, he and Ruth mentored several young men who also became successful business owners. He retired in 1988.

Wally loved cars, antique cars, race cars, any kind of car.  He restored several antique cars and won National First Place Awards for some of his models.  Wally and Ruth also enjoyed traveling and raising their children.  He enjoyed the challenge of building and fixing things both alone and with his family.  He would often tell his children “I can’t never did anything.”

Wally was predeceased by his parents, his wife Ruth, his grandson Paul Scranton and his siblings, Glen Easton, Jean Brown and Winona Easton.

Wally is survived by his children, Lona, Kathy, Sandy and Larry.  He and Ruth had nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to recognize and thank “Wally’s Girls” who made it possible for him to stay in his own home these last two years.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend a memorial service at Esperance-Sloansville United Methodist Church 175 Main St. Esperance, NY on Thursday, December 14 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Esperance-Sloansville Methodist Trustees Fund at PO Box 254, Esperance, NY 12066. 

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