Walter Thomas Bott

Walter Thomas Bott, 89, of Perrysville, Indiana, passed away at 11:42pm Thursday, October 1, 2020 at home.  There will be a graveside service at 11:00am Monday, October 5, 2020 at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Catlin, with Military Rites by Catlin American Legion Post #776.

Walter was born June 24, 1931 in Danville, IL to Thomas Harold & Augusta (Dalby) Bott.  He attended Daniel grade school and graduated from DHS in 1949.  He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1953 with a B.S. degree in Metallurgical Engineering.  Walter was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the USAF on Valentine’s Day 1954.  He was called to active duty on May 12, 1954 where he was assigned the duties of Reserve Personnel Office, Assistant Adjutant, and Assistant Base Personnel Officer at Brooks Air Force Base until May of 1956.  After serving hit time in active duty, he stayed involve in various off duty programs and eventually retired from the Air Force, after 40 years, as a Major.  Walter was employed at Caterpillar Tractor Company from June 1956 until retiring in 1987, 31 years with the company.  He was involved with various engineering projects, some that took him and his family overseas to San Paulo, Brazil for four years.

Walter was a member of Central Park Church of Christ in Tilton.  He belonged to the Reserve Officers Association, the American Society for Metals, the American Legion Post #776, Catlin and Masonic Lodge #352 in Morton, IL, and Scottish Rite Shrine Club.  In Walter’s spare time, he loved spending time on the Wabash River and has built many cabins along it.

Walter married Jean Ann McBride in 1953; she preceded him in 1994.  He later married Margaret Louise Cox in 1978, she preceded him in 2005.  Survivors include two sons:  William Thomas (Annie) Bott, and Robert Allen (Ellen) Bott; cousin Harold Bott; and 9 grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, two wives, and a daughter Brenda Jean Fry.

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