Obituary of Walter Bourland

Walter Eugene Bourland finally grew tired of nobody listening to his war stories down here, so he decided to go tell a few to God – in person. Walt hoped God would let him hold a formation for all of the old service buddies he lost. Walt died February 26, 2017. He was eighty-five years old. Walt was born on October 5, 1931 in Dallas, Texas to Henry Lee Bourland and Annie Mable Murry. He was the third oldest of five children and was known as "Buddy" growing up. He graduated Forest Avenue High School in June, 1948 and entered the U.S. Air Force in October, 1949. He completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base and continued training at Shepherd Air Force Base and Chanute Air Force Base. Military assessments somehow determined he would be best suited for aircraft maintenance. He always said Texans knew how to bullshit. He supervised a crew of 50 that performed maintenance throughout missions on B-29 and B-36 aircrafts. Although Walt specialized in the aircrafts' engines, he supervised maintenance for the entire aircrafts. He also trained in refueling during flights. After spending a couple years seeing Air Force bases, both in and out of the country, Walt decided he wanted to see more of the world and joined the U.S. Army in 1955. He served his first tour in Germany to protect the growing German Army. He specialized in tanks and heavy weapons. Out of 21 battalion leaders, Walt was chosen to create a tank gunnery assistance team for training. In 1962, he was assigned to supervise a maintenance crew of 250 people to support CH21 helicopters while touring a demilitarized zone during the Korean War. He served there for one year. He was recognized for his work as an instructor in bore sighting exercises, zeroing exercises and working "far in excess of normal duty hours," "exceptional leadership skills," and "superior instruction and assistance." In 1964, Walt served his first tour in Vietnam as a platoon sergeant with the 155th Assault Helicopter Company, Aviation Battalion, and 1st Infantry Division. In 1968, he served his second tour in Vietnam with the 268th Combat Assault Battalion, 1st Infantry Brigade in Vietnam. In 1970, he served his third and final tour in Vietnam with the 159th Aviation Company (Assault Specialty Helicopters), 101st Airborne Division. Walter earned Bronze Stars and air medals for each of his Vietnam tours. He was recognized for flying at least 1,500 hours during his Vietnam tours. His Bronze Stars recognized his "exemplary professionalism and initiative in obtaining outstanding results…(reflecting) great credit upon himself and the United States Army." The U.S. Army then transferred Walt to Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, California, where he retired from the Army 29 days later. At the beginning of his military career, while serving in the Air Force, he married Jacqueline Rae Wilson in 1953. The couple had four children. Walt and his family resided in San Bernardino, California where he operated several businesses, including: automotive, janitorial, and landscaping. He also wanted to set an example for his children and obtained an Associate of Arts degree from San Bernardino Valley Community College. He graduated in 1978. Once his children were grown, they entered the military service and later went on to college. Walt maintained friendship with his wife, but the couple separated, and he moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona in 1985. Walt became active in the Veterans of Foreign War Post #9401 by helping to secure two cans needed to transport veterans to military hospitals hundreds of miles away from Lake Havasu City. He also assisted with at least 200 military burial ceremonies and provided security for the traveling exhibit of the Vietnam Memorial Wall. He went through the chairs of the VFW Post and was awarded numerous certificates of appreciation for his "meritorious and distinguished service…including at least 1,675 hours of devoted service to hospitalized veterans One certificate recognized Walt as "our man of the year who was always there with a smile when we needed him." Soon after moving to Havasu, Walt met Virginia Coates and spent 25 wonderful years traveling the U.S., Canada, and Mexico with her. He also enjoyed spending his time spoiling his Daschund, Mitzi. But Walt was most proud of his four children and their military and professional accomplishments. He was preceded in death by Jacqueline in 2006 and Virginia in 2011. Walt is survived by his children; Mark Eugene Bourland, David Lee (Martha) Bourland, Joseph Ray (Kelly) Bourland, Jean Bourland-Stivers; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren. Services will be held at Riverside National Cemetery on March 13, 2017 at 1:31PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to VFW Post #9401. And don't worry, Walt will be watching, sipping on a double Bourbon and Seven. Services were placed in the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home.