Walter is the son of Walter & Hazel (Goddard) Barsell. He graduated from Benson High School in 1939. While in high school, Walt excelled in football, basketball and track. He served as Senior Class President and was voted "Most Likely to Succeed."
At age 19, Walt enlisted in the United States Navy and served during World War II. He served on the USS Astoria for two years as an Electronic Technician.
Walt was stationed at Pearl Harbor when that military base was attacked by Japan on December 7-1941. (See article below)
He continued his service at Pearl Harbor for another 18 months and following his assignment at Pearl Harbor, Walt went to New York for advance training and then to Okinawa where he served until the end of World War II. Not only was Walt a Peral Harbor Survivor and World War II Veteran, he served in the Naval Reserves for 3 years then retuned to active duty to help the United States forces achieve success in the Korean War.
Walt and his first wife, Pansy Pauline Barsell, were married for 10 years before her passing. On April 24-1960, he married Bonnie Jean Smith at Grace Methodist Church in Lincoln. They established their life in Wahoo where Walt worked as store manger at Hinky Dinky for 37 years. He was the first store manager for Hinky Dinky to qualify for company retirement benefits.
Walt was a member and Past President of the Wahoo Chamber of Commerce. He was also active in the Eagles Club, the Pearl Harbor Survivor Association and Life Member of Wahoo VFW Post 4502. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church where he volunteered as a Sunday School Teacher and Sunday School Superintendent. Walt was a Cub Scoutmaster for many years and also delivered Meals on Wheels.
In his spare time, Walt enjoyed golfing, fishing and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was a member of Wahoo Whirlers Dance Club after taking dance lessons when he was in his 20's and again at the age of 91.
(article in Omaha World Herald Sept 2018)
Walter loved the smell of flowers in Hawaii, He was stationed there in the Navy as a young man. As an elderly gentleman, he would order Hawaiian leis as gifts for his daughters.
That smell is what stuck with him from that day he lived through long ago, December 7-1941, when bombs from Japanese aircraft rained downed on Battleship Row, not from his barracks room.
An hour before, you could smell the gardenias in the air, Barsell told the World Herald decades later. After the attack the aroma changed to burning oil and gasoline.
Barsell, 97 of Wahoo, one of Nebraska's last remaining survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack, died September 24 at his home in Wahoo.
He took pride that he was a Pearl Harbor Survivor, said his daughter, Karen, the youngest of his nine children.
Walter Barsell grew up in Omaha and joined the Navy in 1939. He was first assigned to the cruiser USS Astoria but was transferred to shore duty in early December 1941 just days before the attack. So he was between military jobs on Dec. 7.
Barsell was writing a letter home that morning when heard a commotion outside. He ran to the window and saw planes flying over, headed toward Pearl Harbor and the adjacent air base Hickam Field, where all the U.S. Planes were lined up in rows.
There was all kinds of noise and confusion. We just couldn't imagine what was going on, Barsell wrote. "We were on a hill, You could look down on the harbor and see al the action. It was unbelievable.
Later, Barsell helped haul ammunition and spent several days helping to remove the bodies of the dead. He remained in Pearl Harbor for 2 more years, an Electrician's Mate First Class, installing son buoys and magnetic cable.
Barsell returned to sea duty in time to serve in the ballet of Okinwa, near the end of World War II.
After the war, he returned to Omaha and got a job with the Hinky Dinky grocery chain. He married Polly and adopted her young son.
He worked as a store manger for 37 years, in Omaha, David City and finally in Wahoo. He made friends easily.
A trial greater than Pearl Harbor faced him in 1957 when Polly died and Barsell was ill with ulcers and thought he might have to send their six children, ages 13to 2 months to an orphanage.
But relatives pitched in and with the help of a Nanny, he kept his family together.
In 1960, Barsell married Bonnie Smith and adopted her two young children. Together, they had one more and were married for 48 years.
Preceded by:
Wives: Pancy Pauline Barsell and Bonnie Jean Barsell
Parents: Walter and Hazel Barsell
Brother: William Barsell
Survived by:
Sons: Rand (Barbara) Barsell, Walter (Cathy) Barsell Jr, Douglas (Grace) Barsell, Donald Barsell and David (Julia) Barsell
Daughters: Mary Alice (Roger) Mills, Pam (Arnie) Pospisil, Gloria Strobel
Sister: Vivian Zwink
14 grandchildren and 41 great grandchildren
Omaha World Herald
Pruss Nabity Funerl Home
Sept 2018
At age 19, Walt enlisted in the United States Navy and served during World War II. He served on the USS Astoria for two years as an Electronic Technician.
Walt was stationed at Pearl Harbor when that military base was attacked by Japan on December 7-1941. (See article below)
He continued his service at Pearl Harbor for another 18 months and following his assignment at Pearl Harbor, Walt went to New York for advance training and then to Okinawa where he served until the end of World War II. Not only was Walt a Peral Harbor Survivor and World War II Veteran, he served in the Naval Reserves for 3 years then retuned to active duty to help the United States forces achieve success in the Korean War.
Walt and his first wife, Pansy Pauline Barsell, were married for 10 years before her passing. On April 24-1960, he married Bonnie Jean Smith at Grace Methodist Church in Lincoln. They established their life in Wahoo where Walt worked as store manger at Hinky Dinky for 37 years. He was the first store manager for Hinky Dinky to qualify for company retirement benefits.
Walt was a member and Past President of the Wahoo Chamber of Commerce. He was also active in the Eagles Club, the Pearl Harbor Survivor Association and Life Member of Wahoo VFW Post 4502. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church where he volunteered as a Sunday School Teacher and Sunday School Superintendent. Walt was a Cub Scoutmaster for many years and also delivered Meals on Wheels.
In his spare time, Walt enjoyed golfing, fishing and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was a member of Wahoo Whirlers Dance Club after taking dance lessons when he was in his 20's and again at the age of 91.
(article in Omaha World Herald Sept 2018)
Walter loved the smell of flowers in Hawaii, He was stationed there in the Navy as a young man. As an elderly gentleman, he would order Hawaiian leis as gifts for his daughters.
That smell is what stuck with him from that day he lived through long ago, December 7-1941, when bombs from Japanese aircraft rained downed on Battleship Row, not from his barracks room.
An hour before, you could smell the gardenias in the air, Barsell told the World Herald decades later. After the attack the aroma changed to burning oil and gasoline.
Barsell, 97 of Wahoo, one of Nebraska's last remaining survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack, died September 24 at his home in Wahoo.
He took pride that he was a Pearl Harbor Survivor, said his daughter, Karen, the youngest of his nine children.
Walter Barsell grew up in Omaha and joined the Navy in 1939. He was first assigned to the cruiser USS Astoria but was transferred to shore duty in early December 1941 just days before the attack. So he was between military jobs on Dec. 7.
Barsell was writing a letter home that morning when heard a commotion outside. He ran to the window and saw planes flying over, headed toward Pearl Harbor and the adjacent air base Hickam Field, where all the U.S. Planes were lined up in rows.
There was all kinds of noise and confusion. We just couldn't imagine what was going on, Barsell wrote. "We were on a hill, You could look down on the harbor and see al the action. It was unbelievable.
Later, Barsell helped haul ammunition and spent several days helping to remove the bodies of the dead. He remained in Pearl Harbor for 2 more years, an Electrician's Mate First Class, installing son buoys and magnetic cable.
Barsell returned to sea duty in time to serve in the ballet of Okinwa, near the end of World War II.
After the war, he returned to Omaha and got a job with the Hinky Dinky grocery chain. He married Polly and adopted her young son.
He worked as a store manger for 37 years, in Omaha, David City and finally in Wahoo. He made friends easily.
A trial greater than Pearl Harbor faced him in 1957 when Polly died and Barsell was ill with ulcers and thought he might have to send their six children, ages 13to 2 months to an orphanage.
But relatives pitched in and with the help of a Nanny, he kept his family together.
In 1960, Barsell married Bonnie Smith and adopted her two young children. Together, they had one more and were married for 48 years.
Preceded by:
Wives: Pancy Pauline Barsell and Bonnie Jean Barsell
Parents: Walter and Hazel Barsell
Brother: William Barsell
Survived by:
Sons: Rand (Barbara) Barsell, Walter (Cathy) Barsell Jr, Douglas (Grace) Barsell, Donald Barsell and David (Julia) Barsell
Daughters: Mary Alice (Roger) Mills, Pam (Arnie) Pospisil, Gloria Strobel
Sister: Vivian Zwink
14 grandchildren and 41 great grandchildren
Omaha World Herald
Pruss Nabity Funerl Home
Sept 2018
Walter is the son of Walter & Hazel (Goddard) Barsell. He graduated from Benson High School in 1939. While in high school, Walt excelled in football, basketball and track. He served as Senior Class President and was voted "Most Likely to Succeed."
At age 19, Walt enlisted in the United States Navy and served during World War II. He served on the USS Astoria for two years as an Electronic Technician.
Walt was stationed at Pearl Harbor when that military base was attacked by Japan on December 7-1941. (See article below)
He continued his service at Pearl Harbor for another 18 months and following his assignment at Pearl Harbor, Walt went to New York for advance training and then to Okinawa where he served until the end of World War II. Not only was Walt a Peral Harbor Survivor and World War II Veteran, he served in the Naval Reserves for 3 years then retuned to active duty to help the United States forces achieve success in the Korean War.
Walt and his first wife, Pansy Pauline Barsell, were married for 10 years before her passing. On April 24-1960, he married Bonnie Jean Smith at Grace Methodist Church in Lincoln. They established their life in Wahoo where Walt worked as store manger at Hinky Dinky for 37 years. He was the first store manager for Hinky Dinky to qualify for company retirement benefits.
Walt was a member and Past President of the Wahoo Chamber of Commerce. He was also active in the Eagles Club, the Pearl Harbor Survivor Association and Life Member of Wahoo VFW Post 4502. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church where he volunteered as a Sunday School Teacher and Sunday School Superintendent. Walt was a Cub Scoutmaster for many years and also delivered Meals on Wheels.
In his spare time, Walt enjoyed golfing, fishing and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was a member of Wahoo Whirlers Dance Club after taking dance lessons when he was in his 20's and again at the age of 91.
(article in Omaha World Herald Sept 2018)
Walter loved the smell of flowers in Hawaii, He was stationed there in the Navy as a young man. As an elderly gentleman, he would order Hawaiian leis as gifts for his daughters.
That smell is what stuck with him from that day he lived through long ago, December 7-1941, when bombs from Japanese aircraft rained downed on Battleship Row, not from his barracks room.
An hour before, you could smell the gardenias in the air, Barsell told the World Herald decades later. After the attack the aroma changed to burning oil and gasoline.
Barsell, 97 of Wahoo, one of Nebraska's last remaining survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack, died September 24 at his home in Wahoo.
He took pride that he was a Pearl Harbor Survivor, said his daughter, Karen, the youngest of his nine children.
Walter Barsell grew up in Omaha and joined the Navy in 1939. He was first assigned to the cruiser USS Astoria but was transferred to shore duty in early December 1941 just days before the attack. So he was between military jobs on Dec. 7.
Barsell was writing a letter home that morning when heard a commotion outside. He ran to the window and saw planes flying over, headed toward Pearl Harbor and the adjacent air base Hickam Field, where all the U.S. Planes were lined up in rows.
There was all kinds of noise and confusion. We just couldn't imagine what was going on, Barsell wrote. "We were on a hill, You could look down on the harbor and see al the action. It was unbelievable.
Later, Barsell helped haul ammunition and spent several days helping to remove the bodies of the dead. He remained in Pearl Harbor for 2 more years, an Electrician's Mate First Class, installing son buoys and magnetic cable.
Barsell returned to sea duty in time to serve in the ballet of Okinwa, near the end of World War II.
After the war, he returned to Omaha and got a job with the Hinky Dinky grocery chain. He married Polly and adopted her young son.
He worked as a store manger for 37 years, in Omaha, David City and finally in Wahoo. He made friends easily.
A trial greater than Pearl Harbor faced him in 1957 when Polly died and Barsell was ill with ulcers and thought he might have to send their six children, ages 13to 2 months to an orphanage.
But relatives pitched in and with the help of a Nanny, he kept his family together.
In 1960, Barsell married Bonnie Smith and adopted her two young children. Together, they had one more and were married for 48 years.
Preceded by:
Wives: Pancy Pauline Barsell and Bonnie Jean Barsell
Parents: Walter and Hazel Barsell
Brother: William Barsell
Survived by:
Sons: Rand (Barbara) Barsell, Walter (Cathy) Barsell Jr, Douglas (Grace) Barsell, Donald Barsell and David (Julia) Barsell
Daughters: Mary Alice (Roger) Mills, Pam (Arnie) Pospisil, Gloria Strobel
Sister: Vivian Zwink
14 grandchildren and 41 great grandchildren
Omaha World Herald
Pruss Nabity Funerl Home
Sept 2018
At age 19, Walt enlisted in the United States Navy and served during World War II. He served on the USS Astoria for two years as an Electronic Technician.
Walt was stationed at Pearl Harbor when that military base was attacked by Japan on December 7-1941. (See article below)
He continued his service at Pearl Harbor for another 18 months and following his assignment at Pearl Harbor, Walt went to New York for advance training and then to Okinawa where he served until the end of World War II. Not only was Walt a Peral Harbor Survivor and World War II Veteran, he served in the Naval Reserves for 3 years then retuned to active duty to help the United States forces achieve success in the Korean War.
Walt and his first wife, Pansy Pauline Barsell, were married for 10 years before her passing. On April 24-1960, he married Bonnie Jean Smith at Grace Methodist Church in Lincoln. They established their life in Wahoo where Walt worked as store manger at Hinky Dinky for 37 years. He was the first store manager for Hinky Dinky to qualify for company retirement benefits.
Walt was a member and Past President of the Wahoo Chamber of Commerce. He was also active in the Eagles Club, the Pearl Harbor Survivor Association and Life Member of Wahoo VFW Post 4502. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church where he volunteered as a Sunday School Teacher and Sunday School Superintendent. Walt was a Cub Scoutmaster for many years and also delivered Meals on Wheels.
In his spare time, Walt enjoyed golfing, fishing and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was a member of Wahoo Whirlers Dance Club after taking dance lessons when he was in his 20's and again at the age of 91.
(article in Omaha World Herald Sept 2018)
Walter loved the smell of flowers in Hawaii, He was stationed there in the Navy as a young man. As an elderly gentleman, he would order Hawaiian leis as gifts for his daughters.
That smell is what stuck with him from that day he lived through long ago, December 7-1941, when bombs from Japanese aircraft rained downed on Battleship Row, not from his barracks room.
An hour before, you could smell the gardenias in the air, Barsell told the World Herald decades later. After the attack the aroma changed to burning oil and gasoline.
Barsell, 97 of Wahoo, one of Nebraska's last remaining survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack, died September 24 at his home in Wahoo.
He took pride that he was a Pearl Harbor Survivor, said his daughter, Karen, the youngest of his nine children.
Walter Barsell grew up in Omaha and joined the Navy in 1939. He was first assigned to the cruiser USS Astoria but was transferred to shore duty in early December 1941 just days before the attack. So he was between military jobs on Dec. 7.
Barsell was writing a letter home that morning when heard a commotion outside. He ran to the window and saw planes flying over, headed toward Pearl Harbor and the adjacent air base Hickam Field, where all the U.S. Planes were lined up in rows.
There was all kinds of noise and confusion. We just couldn't imagine what was going on, Barsell wrote. "We were on a hill, You could look down on the harbor and see al the action. It was unbelievable.
Later, Barsell helped haul ammunition and spent several days helping to remove the bodies of the dead. He remained in Pearl Harbor for 2 more years, an Electrician's Mate First Class, installing son buoys and magnetic cable.
Barsell returned to sea duty in time to serve in the ballet of Okinwa, near the end of World War II.
After the war, he returned to Omaha and got a job with the Hinky Dinky grocery chain. He married Polly and adopted her young son.
He worked as a store manger for 37 years, in Omaha, David City and finally in Wahoo. He made friends easily.
A trial greater than Pearl Harbor faced him in 1957 when Polly died and Barsell was ill with ulcers and thought he might have to send their six children, ages 13to 2 months to an orphanage.
But relatives pitched in and with the help of a Nanny, he kept his family together.
In 1960, Barsell married Bonnie Smith and adopted her two young children. Together, they had one more and were married for 48 years.
Preceded by:
Wives: Pancy Pauline Barsell and Bonnie Jean Barsell
Parents: Walter and Hazel Barsell
Brother: William Barsell
Survived by:
Sons: Rand (Barbara) Barsell, Walter (Cathy) Barsell Jr, Douglas (Grace) Barsell, Donald Barsell and David (Julia) Barsell
Daughters: Mary Alice (Roger) Mills, Pam (Arnie) Pospisil, Gloria Strobel
Sister: Vivian Zwink
14 grandchildren and 41 great grandchildren
Omaha World Herald
Pruss Nabity Funerl Home
Sept 2018
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