RIP 101 Walterton

[Kory]

A huge loss for all of us—such a positive contributor to the community. I hope his family is ok.

[Wolter]

Oh shit. He and I had our fights on here, but like everyone on this site he was essentially extended family in my brain. RIP.

[laxman]

Absolutely awful news, so very sad. He definitely didn’t let on at all, not even in any PMs. I used to ask about his daughter, he was so incredibly proud of her amazing progress. I will be cheering her on even more now. RIP Barny.

[BitterTom]

In total shock reading this terrible news, such a nice and decent bloke. He will be missed greatly.

[laxman]

Just found this in a PM. I hope he and PH are enjoying a drink now.

“ I’ve not met an IMCTer yet but Marky and I grew up 15 miles apart and would have crossed paths on many occasions especially at local gigs, football and fights in the Reading shopping mall
Purple Hayes and I lived a couple miles apart in West London in mid 80’s and drank in the same pubs. One in particular White Hart was both our local.
Spooky.”

[Heston]

Just found this in a PM. I hope he and PH are enjoying a drink now.

“ I’ve not met an IMCTer yet but Marky and I grew up 15 miles apart and would have crossed paths on many occasions especially at local gigs, football and fights in the Reading shopping mall
Purple Hayes and I lived a couple miles apart in West London in mid 80’s and drank in the same pubs. One in particular White Hart was both our local.
Spooky.”

Two great fellas who left us too soon.

[tepista]

Oh my god! I am in shock! Beofre Covid we had plans to see Madness in LA. This is awful. So sad for his family.

[FarawayTowns]

Shocked and saddened to hear this. Read many of his posts over the years. He seemed a really good guy with a fantastic two tone collection. RIP.

[Heston]

I loved our ongoing spat about the merits of the later SLF albums. I always knew when I posted about how great Now Then was, his withering reply would be lodged not long afterwards.

[revbob]

Holy shit, this is really awful. I did some research and found his daughter's Instagram. Apparently he had a long battle with cancer. I really hope I didn't miss him mentioning it here, but that comes as a complete surprise to me.

Has anyone reached out to his family? I was thinking of sending something on behalf of all of us to his daughter to pass on to his family if everyone is okay with that.

Oof, he was one of the regulars. Like everyone here, I've chatted with him probably more than most people in my life over the last 14 years.

I can't recall him ever mentioning it, it's a shame he never got the chance to say goodbye, though maybe that would have been worse. And yes, that's a good idea, though I don't know if he may have liked his presence on the board to be something private. He never hooked up with anyone from the board on FB etc. I'd hate my family to scroll through the bullshit I've wrote on here when I pass away. But do what you think is apt.

Yeah never thought of it from that perspective. I think most if not all he ever posted was pretty harmless but yeah who knows.

I know when my dad passed I got to read something his oldest friend had written they were life long buddies from grade school. It was great to read about some of their exploits from childhood thru college. No doubt there was stuff left out but it gave me a different/better perspective of my father.

But sometimes it is best to err on the side of caution.

[Low Down Low]

Just to echo the general shock and sadness here. This awful news really knocked me for six and i only came to be aware of him so very recently compared to most here so i can only imagine what people must be feeling. RIP.

[Flex]

Wally was always one of the most gracious and well-meaning people I've met, not even just on this site. Like Wolt or one or two others, we've had our share of jawing, but it was all in the way that good friends or family have from time to time. He was a truly kind and decent person by every account and interaction I've had. Just genuinely decent and a pleasure to have in your life. God, this is horrible.

Addendum: in terms of reaching out to family, I'll leave it to the discretion of those with more ability to do that than I, but I think the body of evidence he left behind on this site is wholly in his favor in terms of being well remembered.

[gkbill]

Hello,

I am sitting here trying to take it in. What a shame for his family. I, along with everyone here I'm guessing, had no idea. Given what I knew of him, he wouldn't want us to know. It's a testament to his character that he "wouldn't want to burden us" with the knowledge he had been battling cancer - as others have stated, I wish I had the chance to thank him for his friendship. I'm still stunned.

RIP, good man.

[Olaf]

Found these pictures while leafing through some old threads.

[revbob]

From the show us your mug thread