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Walter J. McCulla, 96, formerly of Washington, died Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, at his residence.
Born May 11, 1915, to James Henry and Olie Ethel, he married Barbara Delker on April 7, 1939; she preceded him in death June 6, 2004.
He attended Birmingham Southern College and Auburn University where he graduated in 1938 with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering. He received his master’s degree in engineering management from Bradley University in 1967 and was inducted into the honorary fraternity Phi Kappa Phi.
An employee of Caterpillar Inc. for 43 years, he served in various staff and supervisory positions in the engineering, research and patent departments, retiring as agreements administrator in 1981.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Peoria. He served at various times as Boy Scout Cubmaster, Sunday school teacher and was a member of Toastmasters Club and the Peoria Chamber of Commerce.
He was a lifetime member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, member and president of the Peoria Color Camera Club, and was a board member and publicity photographer for the Peoria Civic Ballet.
He was a June 2003 recipient of the Rotary International Paul Harris Award.
He enjoyed his family, friends, photography, poetry, “home engineering,” traveling the world and had a lifelong love and appreciation of the English language.
One son, William P. McCulla of Peoria, preceded him in death.
He is survived by one son, James W. (Bonnie) McCulla of Huntley; one daughter, Carol (Craig) Ekstrom of Morton; three granddaughters, Julie (Barry) Sherman of Grayslake, Dr. Carrie (Dave) Steckl of Gurnee and Tonya (Brian) Wake of Peoria; two grandsons, James W. McCulla Jr. of Lake Zurich and Daniel (Janet) Hill of Moline; daughter-in-law, Shirley McCulla of Peoria; and seven great-grandchildren.
Visitation was Dec. 27 in Schaumburg. Cremation rites have been accorded.
Walter J. McCulla, 96, formerly of Washington, died Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, at his residence.
Born May 11, 1915, to James Henry and Olie Ethel, he married Barbara Delker on April 7, 1939; she preceded him in death June 6, 2004.
He attended Birmingham Southern College and Auburn University where he graduated in 1938 with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering. He received his master’s degree in engineering management from Bradley University in 1967 and was inducted into the honorary fraternity Phi Kappa Phi.
An employee of Caterpillar Inc. for 43 years, he served in various staff and supervisory positions in the engineering, research and patent departments, retiring as agreements administrator in 1981.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Peoria. He served at various times as Boy Scout Cubmaster, Sunday school teacher and was a member of Toastmasters Club and the Peoria Chamber of Commerce.
He was a lifetime member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, member and president of the Peoria Color Camera Club, and was a board member and publicity photographer for the Peoria Civic Ballet.
He was a June 2003 recipient of the Rotary International Paul Harris Award.
He enjoyed his family, friends, photography, poetry, “home engineering,” traveling the world and had a lifelong love and appreciation of the English language.
One son, William P. McCulla of Peoria, preceded him in death.
He is survived by one son, James W. (Bonnie) McCulla of Huntley; one daughter, Carol (Craig) Ekstrom of Morton; three granddaughters, Julie (Barry) Sherman of Grayslake, Dr. Carrie (Dave) Steckl of Gurnee and Tonya (Brian) Wake of Peoria; two grandsons, James W. McCulla Jr. of Lake Zurich and Daniel (Janet) Hill of Moline; daughter-in-law, Shirley McCulla of Peoria; and seven great-grandchildren.
Visitation was Dec. 27 in Schaumburg. Cremation rites have been accorded.
