WC/RW/RC Capt. Walter R. Stonebraker

~ IN MEMORY ~

WWII veteran, WC/RW/RC Capt. Walter 'Stoney' Stonebraker

January 30, 1922 ~ April 3, 2015

     

Notification with the passing of WWII veteran retired pilot Captain Walter Raymond Stonebraker, age 93.  Captain Stonebraker joined West Coast Airlines 06-15-1950, made the mergers with Hughes Airwest and Republic, and retired with Republic Airlines in 1982.  You can learn more of Walt's military background in the fall 2013 issue of the Idaho Military Museum newsletter http://museum.mil.idaho.gov/Newsletters/Fall2013.pdf 

Also, story and pictures at http://www.afpaa.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-140206-167.pdf  (retired 190th Fighter Squadron P-51 pilot). 

Read even more of Walt's military career at http://museum.mil.idaho.gov/Newsletters/4thQtr2009.pdf  (page 5 of the newsletter).

Captain Stonebraker was widowed in 2011 with the passing of his wife of 67 years Elaine Stoaks Stonebraker.  He is survived by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

To view/sign the online guestbook please visit http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/idahostatesman/obituary.aspx?n=Walter-Stonebraker-Stoney&pid=174650648  Captain Stonebraker had most recently resided in Boise Idaho. 

Perhaps the best contact for the family would be c/o daughter Shelley Rupert at 5422 W. Cruzen St.,  Boise  ID 83706-1132  ...  (208) 376-5114.

            Thank you,

                ~ Carol for the PCN

.................................obituary........................................

Walter "Stoney" Stonebraker
Walter died peacefully the morning of April 3rd of natural causes. He was born in Lewiston, Idaho to George and Emma (Robinson) Stonebraker. He spent his youth in Cascade, Idaho riding horses, skiing, and working beside his father at their ranch, driving trucks and learning to fly. Walter's father was an early Idaho aviation pioneer. Walter soloed at age 16, which began his career and lifelong love of flying.
Walter attended the University of Montana, where he began flight training in the Civil Pilot Training Program. When WWII broke out, Walter was accepted into the Marine Corp as an officer. After training, he boarded the aircraft carrier Bennington as a fully qualified Corsair F4U carrier pilot. He flew 120 combat missions in the pacific, receiving 5 Air Medals and the Distinguished Cross.
Upon leaving the Marines in 1945, Walter went to work as a commercial airline pilot, retiring in 1982 from Delta Airlines. He also flew with the Idaho Air National Guard from 1952-1966. He retired having accumulated 44,000 flying hours.
Walter married Elaine Stoaks in 1944. Their marriage of 67 years was blessed with 3 children; Peter, Sheryl, and Shelley. They lived in Montana, Idaho, Washington state, 35 years in Scottsdale, Arizona, and finally back to Boise to be near family. Together they enjoyed boating, flying, playing competitive doubles tennis, walking, and riding with the motorcycle club.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Wanda and Beverly; and his wife, Elaine. He is survived by his sister, Bettylou Donnelley of Boise; his son, Peter Stonebraker (Jackie) of Novato, California; daughters, Sheryl Bothell (David) of Bainbridge Island, Washington, and Shelley Rupert of Boise. Walter and Elaine also have 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
A family celebration of life will be held at a future date. Walter's family would like to thank the highly professional and caring staff of Willow Park Assisted Living. Goodbye, Dad, you are a hero to many and will be greatly missed. 

Funeral Home  :  Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel
5400 Fairview Avenue Boise, ID  83706
(208) 376-5400  

.Published in Idaho Statesman on Apr. 19, 2015
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/idahostatesman/obituary.aspx?n=Walter-Stonebraker-Stoney&pid=174650648#sthash.i4jksDZK.dpuf 

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Elaine Stonebraker: Newspaper Obituary   

Elaine passed away peacefully the morning of November 27, 2011. She was born April 12, 1923 in San Diego, California, the only child born to Ethel and Charles Stoaks. Elaine was a gifted musician. She learned the cello from her mother. Elaine's mother died when she was fourteen and she was fortunate to have had a loving relationship with her step-mother Freda, who taught her to sew and gave her a lifelong love of sewing. fabrics and ultimately quilting. Elaine graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 1944 and married her husband Walter (Stoney) Stonebraker one month later. Their marriage of sixty seven years took them to many places, Montana, Washington, Idaho, Arizona and ultimately back to Boise to be near family. Elaine was a good mother. She was consistent, caring, an excellent listener and always non-judgmental. All her children's friends "wanted a mother like Elaine". She loved reading, sewing, skiing, and was an accomplished doubles tennis player. Elaine was ahead of her times in many ways especially with regards to health. She was knowledgeable about healthy foods, vitamins and nutrition. There were no unhealthy food items allowed in her house! Elaine was an award winning and nationally recognized quilter. Her quilts were all of original design and considered works of art. Her pieces were all hand stitched and many hang in some of the finest homes in the Pacific Northwest and Southwest. Her piece "Rising Moons" hangs in the Quilters Museum in Paducah, Kentucky. She spent many years perfecting her designs and skill.........................