Walter Parsons, 75, of Cottage Grove died June 30, 2017.

Walter was born in Kokomo, Ind. on Nov. 15, 1941 to Rufus and Arlene (Barlow) Parsons. 

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1959-1961 as a Radio Technician Helper. 

On Jan. 9, 1963 in Goshen, Ore., Walter and Sonja Marie Robertson were married. 

He worked as a timber faller and decided to try commercial fishing for a few years. Walter went back to the woods as an independent, self-employed timber faller. 

His hobbies and interests were reading to gain knowledge of history pertaining to the United States. He enjoyed mining in Bohemia Mines and using his metal detector. Walter enjoyed reading western and history books as well as watching movies from his extensive movie collection. 

He is survived by son Bill (Terri) Parsons of Cottage Grove; daughter Vandi (Rob) Parsons of Cottage Grove; daughter Coleen (Troy) Jentzsch of Lorane; son Ben (Heidi) Parsons of Creswell; son, John (Lisa) Parsons of Cottage Grove; son Zack Parsons of Portland; daughter Jenny (Brian) Parsons of Cottage Grove; and son Jake Parsons of Portland; 24 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Walter was preceded in death by his wife Sonja Parsons, brothers George, Rufus, Max, Lawrence, and Jim Parsons.

There is a private family memorial service planned at Bohemia Mines. Arrangements in the care of Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel, Cottage Grove.