Walter L. Barth, 79, of Bridgeport passed away on May 28, 2016 at his home.

 

He was born on October 14, 1936 in Fairview, WV. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dale and Maxine (Toothman) Barth.

 

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lorraine (DeFazio) Barth, whom he married July 14, 1956. He is the father of two children, daughter Darletta Stout and husband Steve, of Bridgeport, son Ron Barth and wife Linda of Chicago, IL. His five grandchildren are Natalie Stout of New York, NY, Emilee Stout and Stephen Stout of Bridgeport, Ryan Barth of Sacramento, CA and Eric Barth of Chicago, IL. His brother, Dale Barth, Jr., resides in Fairmont, WV.

 

Walter was a 1954 graduate of Shinnston High School and attended Fairmont State College. He began his career in Cleveland, OH, and then worked out of Marion, Upshur and Harrison counties in West Virginia for C&P Telephone Company. Walter retired in 1995 after 35 years of service. After retirement he was hired as the Executive Director of the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce. In recent years he worked part time with his friends at Dorsey Funeral Home and Bridgeport Country Club.

 

While living in Buckhannon in the 1960s he was very active throughout the community. He was a member of the Rotary Club, the Volunteer Fire Department, coach of the first youth football team, president of the football boosters, president of the West Virginia Wesleyan Athletic Boosters, vice president of the Buckhannon Jaycees, board member of the Buckhannon Country Club, president of the Buckhannon Strawberry Festival and was chosen as Man of the Year in Upshur County.

 

As a longtime resident of Harrison County, Walter served on the Bridgeport City Council, the Bridgeport Planning Commission and the Bridgeport Development Authority. He was also appointed to the Harrison County Development Authority and was president of the Mon Valley Chamber of Commerce serving Harrison, Marion, and Monongalia Counties. He was a member of the Clarksburg Rotary Club and was president of the Clarksburg Exchange Club. He was a board member and president of the Shinnston Alumni Association. Walter was appointed by the governor of West Virginia to serve on the Adult Literacy Board for the state. He also served on the Board of Directors of United Hospital Center, the United Physicians Care of Central WV and the West Virginia University Health Systems.

 

Walter was a high school football official for 23 years. Because of his passion for the sport and Bridgeport High School, he also served as a volunteer football coach. He was a chairperson for the turf replacement project at Bridgeport High and was in charge of field maintenance for several years. The BHS Alumni and Friends Foundation announced recently that Walter will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this fall for his longtime dedication to the school and community.

 

Walter was a member of All Saints Catholic Church in Bridgeport. His hobbies included golf, antique cars, and following the WVU Mountaineers and Bridgeport High School athletics. Over the years, he enjoyed traveling with his wife and loved spending time with his family. He took great pride in his grandchildren and was part of all aspects of their lives from sporting events to graduations.

 

A Memorial Service will be conducted in Walter’s honor on Saturday, June 18, 2016. Family and friends will be received at Dorsey Funeral Home, 701 S. Pike Street, Shinnston, on June 18 from 12p.m. – 4p.m. A service will be conducted in the funeral home at 4 p.m. with Reverend Hilarion V. Cann and Pastor Brian Plum presiding. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to United Health Foundation, 327 Medical Park Drive, Bridgeport, WV 26330. The contributions will benefit the United Hospital Cancer Center and People’s Hospice.

 

Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.dorseyfuneralhomewv.com. Dorsey Funeral Home is honored to assist the Barth family.