Champaign County OhArchives Obituaries.....McKneely, Walter July 6, 2013
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Karen Johnson-Heber gapeachprtnerz@bellsouth.net December 2, 2013, 10:57 am

The Piqua Daily Call
On July 6, 2013, as the rest of the world awoke, Walter B. McNeely finally was 
able to sleep, eternally. Having survived nine (yes 9!) heart attacks, and a 
stroke, on this morning he chose to fight no more. It was a peaceful transition.
Born on Oct. 8 or 9 (long story!) 1933, in Martin County, Ky., the ninth of 10 
children to James and Essie (Jackson) McNeely. Being the son of a coal miner, 
he decided at the tender age of 15 to move north to better find his place in 
the world.
As a young man he worked various jobs until starting McNeely’s Shell Service 
Station at 415 S. Main St, Urbana, in 1963. After years of success at this 
location, he moved his family to New Mexico for a short piece before returning 
to Urbana to ultimately open McNeely’s Shell at 331 N. Main St., Urbana. He was 
a member of the Urbana Downtown Business Association.
Eventually, as age and the repeated health issues persisted, he ‘downsized’ the 
business from full service to a tire shop that he was extremely proud of. It is 
still an active business. He retired in 2011 after close call #7.
He missed working the rest of his days while on this earth, as he was 
accustomed to always having a project car to work on. There are few who 
appreciated automobiles as much. He loved fast, flashy cars! He enjoyed 
traveling, and at one time, golf and fishing with his best buddy, Bobby 
Kimball. His interest in golf and fishing faded as he no longer had his 
lifelong friend by his side.
In early 1960, he met and fell head-over-heels in love with Evalena Skaggs. 
They married on Dec. 23, 1960. He was a patient and understanding father to 3 
children, Pamela K. Stairwalt (Steven), Kimberly K. McNeely, (deceased), and 
Walter Kevin McNeely. His grandson, Ashley Heath Short, was the light of his 
life, as was his other grandchildren, Bianca P.N. Tropeano, and Lake McNeely 
Stairwalt. His favorite (and only) little sister survives, Betty Lowe, of 
Lovely, Ky. He was widowed in 2002 and he has lost his parents, brothers, 
Ercle, Ed, Bill, Bob, and his sisters, Dora, Julie, Dixie, and Emma, as well as 
his daughter Kim.
He was everyone’s favorite uncle, cousin, brother and friend, and all they were 
his favorite in return. 
He never hesitated to help a friend, or stranger, and was just as likely to 
give his favorite waitress an enormous tip, as he was to give a perfect 
stranger warm clothes and diapers for their children. 


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