In Memory Of
Walter Bryan Hanks, Jr.
1926
2021
Walter Bryan Hanks, Jr.
August 6, 1926 — March 31, 2021
Walter Bryan Hanks, Jr., 94, of Topeka, went to his eternal heavenly home, Wednesday, March 31, 2021.
He was born August 6, 1926, in Bragg City, Missouri, the son of Walter and Ruby (Looney) Hanks. Walter attended high school at Cape Girardeau Missouri Central High School. After graduating from high school, he joined the Navy where he was stationed in the South Pacific on the Destroyer Escort Jack W. Wilke. He received an honorable discharge in 1947 and continued to serve in the reserves until 1952.
Walter was employed by Burroughs Corporation now known as Unisys Corporation as a Field Engineering Manager for 36 years, retiring in the fall of 1982. His career had its beginnings in St. Louis, MO and later he transferred to Pueblo, CO and finally to Wichita, KS.
While in Wichita he was a member of Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish before moving to Topeka where he was a member of the Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, the American Legion Post #058, and the Knights of Columbus.
Walter was an outdoorsman. He enjoyed fishing, gardening and working in his yard. When not enjoying the great outdoors, you would find Walter enjoying a good book or reading poetry. A great storyteller he would share stories of growing up through the Great Depression, clearing land in Arkansas, his attempts at entrepreneurial endeavors and escapades working as a deck hand on a tow boat on the Mississippi river during high school.
Walter married Johanna Miglino on September 24, 1948 in St. Louis, MO by the justice of the peace while visiting his family which they kept secret until they had their official church blessing December 11th in Brooklyn, New York.
Survivors include his wife; daughters, Nancy (Kevin) Alexander, Brenda (Stan) Zimmerman and Maureen (Daniel) McGrath; grandchildren, Dr. Stanley "Kyle"(Jessica) Zimmerman, Kevin (Emily) Alexander, Jr., Kari (Ben) Cohen, Samuel "Scott" (Jacquelyn) Alexander, Kelley (Brian) Horn and Bryan McGrath; and 16 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings; Ruby "Tince" Hanks, Carl Eugene, Jim Hanks and Jack Hanks.
The family would like to thank the wonderful care provided by Brooke Deister and Kenny Anderson while Walter was at home the Stormont Vail doctors, nurses and staff, including the ER and palliative care team that provided him with a peaceful home going.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 3601 SW 17th Street, Topeka, Kansas 66604. A private inurnment will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church 3601 SW. 17th Street, Topeka, KS, 66604 www.mphm.com or Meals on Wheels - Topeka 2134 SW Westport Dr. Topeka, KS, 66614.
To leave a message for the family, please visit the guestbook below.
He was born August 6, 1926, in Bragg City, Missouri, the son of Walter and Ruby (Looney) Hanks. Walter attended high school at Cape Girardeau Missouri Central High School. After graduating from high school, he joined the Navy where he was stationed in the South Pacific on the Destroyer Escort Jack W. Wilke. He received an honorable discharge in 1947 and continued to serve in the reserves until 1952.
Walter was employed by Burroughs Corporation now known as Unisys Corporation as a Field Engineering Manager for 36 years, retiring in the fall of 1982. His career had its beginnings in St. Louis, MO and later he transferred to Pueblo, CO and finally to Wichita, KS.
While in Wichita he was a member of Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish before moving to Topeka where he was a member of the Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, the American Legion Post #058, and the Knights of Columbus.
Walter was an outdoorsman. He enjoyed fishing, gardening and working in his yard. When not enjoying the great outdoors, you would find Walter enjoying a good book or reading poetry. A great storyteller he would share stories of growing up through the Great Depression, clearing land in Arkansas, his attempts at entrepreneurial endeavors and escapades working as a deck hand on a tow boat on the Mississippi river during high school.
Walter married Johanna Miglino on September 24, 1948 in St. Louis, MO by the justice of the peace while visiting his family which they kept secret until they had their official church blessing December 11th in Brooklyn, New York.
Survivors include his wife; daughters, Nancy (Kevin) Alexander, Brenda (Stan) Zimmerman and Maureen (Daniel) McGrath; grandchildren, Dr. Stanley "Kyle"(Jessica) Zimmerman, Kevin (Emily) Alexander, Jr., Kari (Ben) Cohen, Samuel "Scott" (Jacquelyn) Alexander, Kelley (Brian) Horn and Bryan McGrath; and 16 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings; Ruby "Tince" Hanks, Carl Eugene, Jim Hanks and Jack Hanks.
The family would like to thank the wonderful care provided by Brooke Deister and Kenny Anderson while Walter was at home the Stormont Vail doctors, nurses and staff, including the ER and palliative care team that provided him with a peaceful home going.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 3601 SW 17th Street, Topeka, Kansas 66604. A private inurnment will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church 3601 SW. 17th Street, Topeka, KS, 66604 www.mphm.com or Meals on Wheels - Topeka 2134 SW Westport Dr. Topeka, KS, 66614.
To leave a message for the family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Walter Bryan Hanks, Jr., please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Mass
Saturday, April 17, 2021
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
Mary Catholic Church
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