Obituary for Walter J. LeBel Mr. Walter J. LeBel age, 92, passed away May 24, 2018 in Muskegon. He was born May 14, 1926 to Walter & Eugenie (Pomerleau) LeBel in Westbrook, Maine. Following high school, Walt served in the U.S. Navy during WW II.
In 1946, he married June Irene Nelson. In 1950, Walt graduated from Univ. of Maine & started work at the S.D. Warren Co. as an engineer in Westbrook, ME.
In 1953, he was transferred to Muskegon, MI to the Central Paper Co. Mill, just purchased by his Co. shortly after, he was promoted to Assist Chief Engineer where he worked on the complete conversion of the plant to produce high quality paper products. In 1974, he was transferred as Project Mgr. to the S.D. Warren Div.
of Scott Paper in Mobile, AL. There he supervised a $400 million renovation to produce a new high-quality paper. In 1980, S. D. Warren approved a new project for another high-speed paper machine for high-quality paper, the result of the success of his last project.
He was transferred to Birmingham, AL, to work with Rust Engineering and oversee the project design. Then, in 1982, he was transferred to the job site in Skowhegan, ME for installation & start-up. Shortly after arrival, he was seriously injured in a head-on collision.
After partial recovery, he worked as able, but in 1984, he took early retirement. He & June moved back to Mobile, AL, where they had many friends. He became very active with the U.S. Power Squadron, Neighborhood Watch, and other activities.
Walt’s favorite activities were boating, fishing, & travel. He & June traveled to all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico & many places in the Caribbean. After attaining his pilot’s license, they often spent their vacations island-hopping, especially their favorite, Norman’s Cay in the Bahamas.
While living in Mobile, they often cruised along the Gulf, living aboard their cruiser for 2-3 weeks at a time. In 2000, June, his wife of 54 years, sadly, passed away. The following year, he renewed a friendship with a Muskegon native, Phyllis Wahr, whom he had known long ago.
In 2001, they were married. After several years of cruising & travel, he and Phyllis decided, in 2008, to return to Muskegon where they both had family. In 2010, his second wife, Phyllis passed away.
Walter is survived by two sons, Stephen (Marge) LeBel and Larry (Peggy) LeBel, both living in Muskegon; grandchildren, Jason and Wendy and step-children, Barb Wahr, Allen Wahr and Kim Wahr. Burial will take place in Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Arrangements entrusted to The Walburn Chapel, 1547 W. Sherman Blvd.
(231) 759-8565. Feel free to share a memory with the family at www. sytsemafh.com.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Walter J. LeBel please visit our Sympathy Store.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
