Walter G. Stecker, Jr., age 93 of Grand Rapids, MI formerly of Sarasota, FL and Birmingham, MI passed away Monday, July 22, 2013. He was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Long Cain and his wife and love, Margery F. Stecker. He is survived by his children, Walter III (Kris) Stecker, Ross (Nancy) Stecker, Rick (fiancé Paula Pioch) Stecker, Marion (Dan) Gauthier; brother-in-law, Ross Fife; grandchildren, Lauren (Joe) Hustek, Walter Stecker IV, Christian Stecker, William Stecker, Brittany (Josh) Mason, Chad Stecker and Shawn Gauthier; several nieces and nephews. Walter graduated from Cranbrook Prep School in Bloomfield Hills, MI and also attended the Cranbrook Art Academy. He studied art and industrial design at Art Center College in Los Angeles, CA, and began his career as a technical production illustrator in 1942 at Douglas Aircraft. He then served in the Navy’s Overall Logistic Plans Group in Washington DC, where he illustrated top-secret projects. Afterwards, he continued his career in sales and packaging design for Stecker Paper Box in Detroit, MI, retiring in 1977. Utterly devoted to his wife Muffy and his family, Walt loved nothing more than being in the company of those he cherished, including numerous dear friends. Honest as they come, loving, genuine, loyal, dapper, an eternal gentleman and an inveterate “club” man. A member of many clubs throughout his years he died a member of the Detroit Athletic Club and Cascade Hills Country Club. Funeral services will be Thursday, August 8, 11:00 a.m. at Cook Valley Estates, 1049 E. Paris Ave. S.E., Grand Rapids, MI. Memorial contributions may be made to your local chapter of the Veteran’s Association or Hospice of Michigan.
