Walter "Zeke" White

Walter "Zeke" White. August 15, 1895 - October 20, 1956. , Walter White was the son of George and Annie, both English immigrants and parents of eight children. In 1905, the family lived in Mid-Town Manhattan, George worked as a coachman in Central Park, and the oldest daughter Mary, worked as a cash-girl. On April 22, 1908, Annie White passed away leaving George with five young children in the home. By January 1909, the children were placed in multiple orphanages. Walter, John and Albert eventually all came under the care of the Children's Aid Society and were placed out in Kansas., In May 1911, at 15 years old, Walter was placed out in Peabody, Kansas. After leaving the original placement, Walter found a loving home with the Erwin W. Slaymaker family. Walter registered for World War I in 1917; he was a farm laborer for H.N. Baker. He enlisted in the Army and was sent to Camp Funston at the beginning of the Spanish Influenza epidemic. Walter recovered from influenza and was able to visit his sister Georgiana in New York in 1919., Walter married Dorothy Geer and had three sons, Wallace, Lee Erwin, and John. Walter ran a restaurant for many years before working as a mail carrier and janitor. He was very active in his community, belonging to the Odd Fellows, the American Legion, and even participating in a wrestling match! In 1956, at age 60, Walter experienced a long bout of illness and died from suicide.