Walter H. Dryer

Walter H. Dryer SPARROWBUSH, NY -Walter Howard Dryer, son of Elsie and Thomas Dryer, was born on August 4, 1926 in Sparrowbush, NY – a place dear to his heart that he talked of often. He was raised in Brooklyn and delighted in meeting anyone else from New York – especially if they shared his life-long love for the New York Yankees One of seven siblings, he loved to share tales of growing up together. At the age of 17, Walt entered the US Marines during WWII and served from July of 1944-July of 1946, serving in Okinawa and Ryukyu Island, Japan. He was honorably discharged and remained a proud US Marine. In June 2023 he was able to go to The National Museum of the Marine Corp in Quantico, Virginia and spend an incredible day being honored for his service. After returning from the war, Walt began studies at Houghton College, married Norma Barger on June 11, 1949 and together they became houseparents for a men’s dorm. They began their family with son David, and within five years added Janet, Nancy and Richard. After college and seminary at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, Walt pastored four churches throughout New England and during this time daughter Sandy joined the family. Walt pastored churches throughout New England from 1953-1982. In 1982 he became a Chaplain with Community Chaplaincy Service, New Bedford Mass. and began a new ministry in nursing homes. He held weekly services and visited most residents one-on-one each week. He liked to say he now had the largest congregation he had ever had. He moved into the role of Director of CCS, and then once again became a chaplain – retiring from this ministry at the age of 89 on December 31, 2015. In October of 1984, Walt suffered the loss of his dear wife Norma. He continued his ministry with a special understanding for so many of the folks he visited. His good buddy and Marine Corp Chaplain Gordon Stone invited him to lunch where he was set up on a blind date with Shirley Lossing – a widow who had been a pastor’s wife. A beautiful love story was birthed that day and their lives were united on July 26, 1986. Walt and Shirley shared 35 cherished years together and served the Lord in Massachusetts and then Charlotte, NC where they moved in 2010. Walt was deeply saddened to lose his wife Shirley in November of 2021. Walt was preceded in death by siblings Helen, Al, Phil, Muriel, Daniel and Judy; his wife Norma, his wife Shirley, son-in-law Jim Burton and three precious great-grandchildren, Jade Hoden, Josiah Dryer and Celeste Branham. He is survived by his children David (Judy) of Kenosha, WI; Janet Burton of Charlotte, NC; Nancy (Arty) Muro of Puebla, Mexico; Richard (Diane) Dryer of Bedford, NH and Sandy (Mike) Flynn of Pineville, NC; step-children Karen (Jim) Ross, Paul (Dorothy) Lossing, Susan (David) Honeychurch and John Lossing and brother-in-law Joe Famellette with whom he shared a birthday and love of the Marine Corp. Walt was a very special grandpa to Lisa, David, Peter, Thomas, Heather, Sarah, Julie, Arty, Anthony, Vinny, Jennifer, Kimberly, Patrick, Heather, Jenny, Tristan, Ethan, Luke, Joshua Caleb, Paul, Kristen, Kimberly, Becky, Jonathan, Mia and Sophie. He was thrilled with the title of Great-Grandpa to 43 great-grandchildren. The family expresses their heartfelt appreciation to Catherine, his amazing caregiver who has become a part of our family after joyfully caring for Walt for the last 8 months, the staff at The Haven Memory Care Center who provided much joy to his life the last few months and the nurses at Levine & Dickson Hospice Home who lovingly cared for Walt in his last days. A service to celebrate Walt’s life will be held on Wednesday, February 21 at 2 pm at Living Hope of Ballantyne – the church Walt and Shirley were members of for the last 14 years. Friends are invited to visit with the family at a dessert reception (in honor of Walt’s sweet tooth) immediately following the service. A private family burial will take place the next day. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Water Mission International, c/o Living Hope of Ballantyne, 11724 Elm Lane, Charlotte, NC 28277.