Walter F. Manley

Walter Floyd Manley was born to Wilber and Myrtle (Pierce) Manley in Burwell, Nebraska on 1/15/1927.

He attended a country school traveling by horseback and then graduated from O’Neill High School in O’Neill Nebraska in 1944. He attended the University of Nebraska for one semester before he was drafted into the Army.

On September 12, 1945, he married his high school sweetheart Marjorie Pfeil.

Walt was stationed at the Letterman Army Hospital Complex at the Presidio of San Francisco, California where he made arm and leg braces for wounded vets. Marge moved out to California to join Walt in May of 1946 where she worked at a bank. After Walt was discharged from the army, he delivered mail for the US Post Office for a few years then became a fireman for the Santa Fe Railroad which began his love for trains.
Their first child, William (Bill) Manley was born on May 11, 1950 at Richmond, California.

Walt was contacted by his father to come back to Nebraska and take over the farming operation. Walt and Marge moved to Barneston, Nebraska March of 1952.

Their second child, Marilyn (Manley) Joerg was born in April of 1953. She currently lives in Randall, Kansas with her husband Warren.
The farming operation progressed from raising turkeys to a Grade A Dairy operation to raising hogs. Walt and Marge were able to take time out to enjoy their friends and travel.

Walt got his pilot license and flew to several locations including Texas, Florida and the Bahamas. They belonged to the Flying Conestoga’s out of Beatrice, Nebraska. They had many, many fun times with this group and stories are still being told about those times.

In 1986 they moved to Fairbury, Nebraska where Walt once again worked for
the US Post Office. After retiring from the post office, he drove the van providing transportation of veterans to the hospitals in Lincoln and Omaha.

Walt and Marge celebrated 70 years of marriage on September 12, 2015. Their family of 17 surprised them by taking a weeklong trip to the beach in Florida in honor of the occasion.

Walt had multiple hobbies and interests including his love for trains and flying, woodworking, playing the trumpet in the town band, playing cards, McDonalds Coffee Club, and Tuesday Sale Barn Breakfast.
Walt was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Fairbury. He was also a member of the American Legion, Masonic Lodge, Shriners, and Order of the Eastern Star as well as doing a variety of volunteer work.

Walt loved to tell stories and visit. His family loved him dearly and he will be missed forever.

Memorial services will be at 2:00 pm Saturday October 24, 2015 at the Presbyterian Church in Fairbury, with Pastor Gail Cross officiating.
Memorials to the Presbyterian Church or ASERA Care Hospice. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury is in charge of arrangements.