Walter Benjamin Dunford went home to be with his Lord on Friday, August 2, 2024, at the age of 88. Walt was born to parents, Floyd and Gertrude Dunford in 1936 in Rochester Minnesota. Walt was the fourth of seven kids. He grew up in the Rochester area as his father worked in farming and Walt worked with his dad. At the age of twelve, he left home to live and work on an area farm which formed much of his independence in his youth.
Working was essential in that time period and Walt quit high school at the age of 17 to marry the love of his life Joan Eleanor Miller in 1953 only to divorce 35 years later but she remained special in his life. Together Walt and Joan immediately started a family having three sons five years apart. Walt was deeply involved with his family and sons and, wherever they lived, they attended a fundamental bible believing church. The family enjoyed camping, snowmobiling, and get togethers with extended family in the Rochester area.
Walt worked and operated several service stations in the Rochester area and loved to race stock cars. Walt was employed for several years for Kruse Lumber Co. in Rochester starting in the lumber yard. Without formal education he worked his up to the front office as a salesman and estimator for the company.
Walt had a deep driving desire to work in law enforcement and he moved his family to Waupun Wisconsin in 1966 when he took a job as a prison guard at Waupun State Prison. In 1969 Walt was accepted in a lateral transfer to the Motor Vehicle Inspection unit of the Wisconsin State Patrol and completed the six-week training program at the State Patrol Academy in Tomah. Walt moved his family to Fond du Lac Wisconsin and worked as an Inspector for two years before returning to the State Patrol Academy in 1971 for the twenty-two-week intensive Trooper training program. Due to his limited education, Walt did struggle and worked hard to meet the high standards of the State Patrol. In week twenty of the training program, Walt was told he could not be a State Trooper if he did not have a high school diploma, and he was devastated at the thought of not achieving his dream. Walt graduated from the academy with honors and received the Governor’s Award presented to him by Governor Patrick Lucy.
Walt served as a Wisconsin State Trooper in District Five, Tomah Wisconsin for his entire career. He moved his family to Tomah in 1971 and achieved his high school equivalency degree in 1974. Walt was active in his career instructing and teaching highway safety to civic groups and schools. In the early 1980’s, Walt was elected to Monroe County Board of Supervisors and served one term. He received the distinguished Wisconsin State Patrol Service Award for his work in implementing the State Patrol Explorers Troop/Post #608 introducing young men and women to law enforcement as a career. In 1987 Walt was part of a team that implemented the State Patrol’s new emergency vehicle operations course (EVOC) training. Walt’s experience in stock car racing and his skill of handling vehicles earned him respect as a EVOC Instructor. The last several years of service, Walt was part of the State Patrol’s motorcycle unit until his retirement in 1992. Walt worked the last half of his career in the La Crosse area to be with special friend Carol Sue Watson, who passed away in April of 2024 and they lived in the Onalaska area. Walt loved to spend time on his Goldwing motorcycle. After retirement Walt worked for La Crosse County Sheriff’s Department transporting prisoners, Brinks Armored Guard, and Honda Motors. He suffered several health and medical issues after his retirement eventually physically restricting him to a wheelchair. Walt will fondly be remembered as a friend and mentor to many State Patrol and Law Enforcement Officers.
Walt was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, George, and three sisters, DeeDee, Donna, and Darlene. Walt is survived by two sisters: Bessie (Herb) Zimmer of Starbuck Minnesota, and Ginny (Dan) Winter of Rochester Minnesota; three sons, Bruce (Debbie) of Prudenville, MI, Gregory (Pat) of Sparta WI and Randal (Sarah) of Tomah; nine grandchildren, thirty great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter as well as many nieces and nephews.
It was Walt’s desire to not have a Visitation or Funeral. The family will be holding a private celebration of Walt’s life in September.
