Walter Binggeli

Walter George Binggeli, age 94 of Bellingham passed away Sunday, May 4, 2014 in Bellingham. Walt was born in Windsor, CA. to Gotlib George & Rose (Balis) Binggeli

At the age of 21, Walt joined the Army; he was in the 341^st Engineer Regiment.

During WW II, Walt was a Sergeant of the Motor Transportation Division and his military qualification was a Sharpshooter M-1 Rifle. Walt’s Battles and Campaigns were; Normandy, Northern France, Battle of the Bulge, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He later was stationed in Alaska where he helped finish the Alaskan Highway.

He received the American Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, and the European –African- Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. Walt has always been true to his country and was all about service and giving back to his fellow friends and what he could do to make his country a better place to live. It was upon returning from the war, that he met his bride, Marie Laughlin, and were married and had a son together, and have been together for over 69 years. After discovering Whatcom County, Walt moved his family up to Bellingham, where he began working as a small engine mechanic and taught small engine repair classes at the Bellingham Vocational College. He later opened up his own business, “Walt’s Small Engines”, where most Bellingham folks would go to get their lawn mowers repaired.

After retirement, Walt continued to tinker with small engines and welding small metal objects together into a creative art, this is where “Walt’s Goofies” came to town. He had many fans of his creative welded art, some would travel from far away places, just to come by and check out his welded art exhibits. Walt was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, he will be missed by many. He was preceded in death by his parents; George and Rose Binggeli; sister, Evelyn Orm, and great grandson, Michael Rusing. He is survived by his wife, Marie Binggeli; son, Larry Binggeli Sr. and his wife Norene; step son, Mickey Casebeer; 3 grandchildren, Laurene Rusing, Larry Binggeli Jr.& Mariene Newman; 10 great grandchildren, and 3 great, great grandchildren; brother, Ed Binggeli; 3 nieces, Cheryl Strong, Tami Campbell and Susie Binggeli and nephew, Jack Orm all of Windsor, California. Walt did not want any one to make a fuss when he departed, or to have a funeral, but his family insisted, after hearing the stories, about how many lives Walt had pulled to shore and had saved during the Normandy Battle. We felt it would be an honor to celebrate Walt’s life with a Graveside Service at Woodlawn Cemetery in Ferndale with Military Honors Friday, May 16, 2014 at 2:30 PM.