Walter F. Pyer passed away at Hanover Terrace on September 12, 2018, after blessing this earth with his infectious brand of fun, decency, and generosity of spirit for nearly 93 years.  In his final days, as he endured the ravages of cancer, he was surrounded by his family from near and far. Even then, he greeted his family with a smile.

Walt was born on October 30, 1925, in West Hartford, VT, to Carroll and Ressie Daggett Pyer, the fourth of eight children. He was fond of telling people that he was "born on beggar's night, and I've been begging ever since!" In fact, he did the opposite, quietly noticing when anyone was in need and offering whatever it was they needed—a song, a meal, a used stove, or a place to stay.

Walt attended Hartford High School. He joined the U.S. Navy on August 14, 1945, and served in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged on August 4, 1946, and went to work as the assistant manager at the First National Store in West Lebanon.  That job would change his life forever, as it was where he met an attractive clerk named Nancy Ann Jones, who would be the great love of his life.  They married on July 22, 1951, and had five children. They also opened their home to many others over the years:  international exchange students, a foster son in the ABC program, and a young girl from the Fresh Air program, among others.  Theirs was a home full of laughter, music, and love.

Walt was a telegraph operator with the Central Vermont Railroad for 34 years. Not one to sit still, he also held side jobs at grocery stores and calling Bingo every Saturday night at the American Legion in Hartford. He still found time to preside over neighborhood whiffle ball games with his children and their friends, teach the Morse Code to boy scout troops, and do volunteer work with the Vermont Special Olympics, preparing monthly community dinners  at the LISTEN center, and as a records clerk in the X-ray department at the VA Hospital.  In 1981, he and his wife were honored with a Humanitarian Service Award from the American Legion for their service to the community and Special Olympics.

After he retired from the railroad in 1985, he continued his busy life with even more volunteering, fishing, spending time with his grandchildren, doing crossword puzzles, cooking Sunday dinners, and watching the Red Sox.  He played guitar and sang for nursing home residents, and he and Nancy were ballot clerks for every election for 20 years, "retiring" from that volunteer job in 2010.  Walt and Nancy were proud to be active members of the open and affirming congregation at the West Lebanon Congregational Church.

Walt is survived by his wife of 67 years, Nancy J. Pyer;  sons Dale (Sandy) Pyer and Jim (Maggie) Pyer, and daughters Betty-Jo  (Dan) Duncklee, Terri  Pyer (Dave Edson), and Lori Higgins;  grandchildren Chris Pyer, Angela (Kyle) Harvey, Elisa (Scott) Jones, Geoffrey Duncklee, Rick (Alison) Duncklee, Andrew (Jessica) Duncklee, Tiana Pyer-Pereira, Torin Pyer-Pereira, Chase Pyer, Clay Pyer, Aubrie Gilbert, and Chelsea (Joseph) Potvin;  and 21 great-grandchildren.  He is predeceased by all of his siblings and his foster son, Sam Owens.

Walt made the world brighter with his energy and unrelenting positive outlook. You could always count on the fact that the answer to the question, "How are you doing, Walt?" was "Fine and dandy, sweet as candy." And he truly was.  Visiting hours will be held Sunday evening,  September 16, from 5-7PM at the Knight Funeral Home in White River Jct., VT.   Funeral services will be held Monday morning, September 17 at 10AM at the West Lebanon Congregational Church in West Lebanon, NH. Burial will follow in West Lebanon Cemetery with military honors.  Condolences may be expressed to Walter's family in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com