Walter John Litwin

Walter J. Litwin, age 86 and formerly of Triangle, VA, departed this life on December 10, 2013, after a short but courageous fight with cancer. Walter was born on December 26, 1926, in Brooklyn, NY. He was the son of the late Andrew and Catherine Litwin who immigrated to the United States from Ukraine. Walter was the youngest child of five. He was 18 years younger than his brother and said he grew up with four additional parents because of the age difference between him and his brother and sisters.

Walter graduated from Boys High School in Brooklyn and served in the U.S. Army infantry during WWII. He was stationed in Italy until the end of the war. Upon his return he went to college and received his Bachelor and Masters degree from Polytechnic Institute of Technology in NYC. He was an electrical engineer for 20 years working for various defense companies. It was during an assignment in Northern Virginia that he met the love of his life, Louise. He swept her off her feet and they headed to NYC to live. They had two children while living in Long Island, NY.

Walter eventually left engineering and owned a Western Auto in Dumfries, VA for an additional 20 years before he retired. Walt and his family lived in Triangle for 40 years before moving to Abingdon to be with Louise's family. He and Louise spent time traveling to craft shows and just enjoying each other's company. Walt's children and grandchildren were his pride and joy and he was always proud of them.

In addition, to his parents and parents-in-law, Joseph P. and Gray Johnson Sr., he was preceded in death by his brother, Charles Litwin, and his sisters and brothers-in-law, Jeannie and Tony Stype, Lee and Cecil Trice, and Helen and Charles Swing.

Those left to cherish his memories are his wife of 52 years, Louise Johnson Litwin; daughter, Tracy Siegmund (Dirk) of Greensboro, NC; and son, John Litwin of Allen, TX. He had five grandchildren: Matthew, Meghan and Emily Siegmund of Greensboro, NC, and Garret and Gabby Litwin of Allen, TX. He is also survived by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Temple and Pauline Goodman, Delegate Joseph P. and MaryAnn Johnson, Jr., and Jim and Diana Johnson, all of Abingdon, VA; and Kermit Johnson of Bristol, VA; and by many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, December 16, 2013, at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Deacon Stan Stefanowicz officiating. The family will receive friends from 12-1 p.m., at the funeral home prior to the service. Interment will follow at Knollkreg Memorial Park Mausoleum with Youth Pastor Joseph P. Johnson III (Joey) officiating. Military rites will be conducted by Highlands Veterans Honor Guard and the Virginia National Guard.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Faith in Action, 798 Hillman Hwy, Abingdon, VA 24210, to Action in Community through Service (ACTS), PO Box 74, Dumfries, VA 22026, or any other organization you would prefer.

Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guest register.

The family Of Walter J. Litwin is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210,(276) 623-2700.