Walter Hilton Memorial Page

This page is dedicated to the memory of Walter Hilton KA6VNU - SK - Friday June 16th 2006
Click on pics for larger view

Memories of Walt

Walters "other" duties
Maybe listening to a kerchunker?
Giving advise
Watch out you kerchunkers

Walt and Nyla
Walt and Nyla

"I'm Free"

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard him call
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone, must stay that way.
I've found that peace at the close of day.
If my parting has left a void
then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss.
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I've savored much,
Good friends, good times, my loved one's touch.
Perhaps my time seems too brief
don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me
God wanted me now, he set me free.

I first got to know Walt soon after I got my
Ham Radio license in 1988. At that time he
was already an important part of what makes
the N6ICW repeater so popular. Many people
get into radio with much enthusiasm but fade
away when something new catches their
attention, but over the years Walt was always
there sharing his life with ours. He always had
time for newcomers to the hobby, sharing his
years of experience or maybe just a few words
of encouragement. I consider him a true
ambassador for Ham Radio. When we all got
together for “Lunch with Walter” he seemed
surprised and maybe a little embarrassed that
so many people would travel so many miles to
meet him. He had a positive affect on more
people than he realized. I’m proud to call Walt
my friend and I will miss him.

Mike Poole (N6RYK) Bravery is not limited to the military battlefield!

In three decades working in a large hospital,
I never knew an individual with a more positive,
vigorous, attitude toward fighting his battle with
cancer. It's a horrible disease but Walt never
waivered during his fight. I called him "Senior
Walt" and he called me "Younger Walt." We
never met in person but I am proud to have
called him my friend.

Walt Wade, (KE6HQA)
Roseville, California The loss of Walt comes as a blow to ham radio
and especially to all those who knew and
appreciated him from his many years on the
N6ICW repeater. He was one of my first
contacts after receiving my license in 1981
and I was privileged to communicate with him
from time to time. His "reports" were humorous
as well as being timely, and his dedication to not
only the N6ICW repeater but to Skywarn are
memorable. Yes, he will be missed as a good
ham, as a friend, and a true gentleman of the
airwaves, but he won't be forgotten. Let him rest
in peace. I am truly saddened by this event.

Paul W. Girard (KC6TZU)

I remember Walt, KA6VNU as one of the
Sacramento area hams who helped get us
back into ham radio. Walt was about the only
ham that Gayle would talk to along with Jerry,
for years. Walt's "Good Morning World" was
the call that she would answer.

Many people will be far more eloquent in
praising Walt, but few will miss him more than
we do. We grieve with his family and especially
his "bride" of more than 50 years, Nyla.

God speed you, big brother!

Hal (N6TQR) and Gayle (N6TUE)
Walter was my first contact on the N6ICW repeater.
I was listening for about 2 weeks before I got the
courage up to throw my call out. It was an afternoon
and as I remember it, I timidly threw out my call
KG6PTK (since changed to W6AWS). This strong
business like voice came back and said “It’s all
your’s, go ahead”. At first I was a little thrown off
guard, and did not know what to say. I told him I was
a new ham, and had just got my courage up to key up.
He chuckled and said, “We all have to start
somewhere, Welcome!”. From then on, I truly enjoyed
his presence on N6ICW. From giving the morning
reports, to berating those cursed “kerchunkers”,
Walter always had a way with words, and certainly
livened up the repeater. Throughout his battle with
cancer, he carried himself with class and dignity, no
self pity, just pure class. I miss him, and I know
everyone else who regularly uses N6ICW does too.

Andy (W6AWS)
No ham I've heard has impressed me as much as
Walter. I listened to him on scanners long before
I got my Novice & Tech licenses in 1990. His warm
personality and helpful attitude beckoned many
non-hams to join the ranks. His amazing ability to
spot an unlicensed "freeloader" caught my attention.
He could spot one in seconds! His authoritative voice,
sounding just like the Lone Ranger, was enough to
shut them down. His knowledge of radios and
antennas was more than adequate to advise anyone
looking for help how to get out of a problem and get
on with ham radio. Those of us lucky enough to meet
him face-to-face will never forget how he helped us.
He was the best there was!

Richard (N6ZRZ)

Walt had referred to himself as "Mr. Wonderful"
Those who had the privilege of knowing him
would agree- he greatly understated the situation.

Marty Small-KD6PHB
I think he was the first Amateur I heard on 2m back in
1992. He even talked to me when I was using the
wrong callsign. I have asked him a million questions
over the past sixteen years and he has never failed to
answer any of the questions. Granted, I didn't understand
most of the answers, but He always took the time to help.
If I could compare Walter with any other person I have
known, It would be Henry Sparks...KB2DLE. Those who
knew Henry can relate to this.If we are lucky, we meet a
very few people in life that makes our life special. I have
met and known two. I now believe that Walter is giving
instructions on which way to point the antenna and Henry
is holding up the mast.
Walter, 147.195 will "never" be the same! The world will
never be the same!

Patrick...N6ARO

Hello Walt where ever you are:
I never got to meet Walt personally, however we
talked occasionally on 147.195. I just found out
of Walt's passing this morning August 29th.
I am Austin Reid, I have had the pleasure of
listing to the morning group up until 8:00 AM for
several years while waiting to cross the kids at a
local school. I will miss hearing him in the mornings.
I did not know Walt was ill till one morning just
about the end of the school year June of 2006.
May God keep him and bless his family.
Yes indeed he will be for ever missed.

Austin Reid - KB6MIM

If you would like to submit your memories of Walt click on the "email me" link below

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This webpage designed/maintained by John Marker © 2009
Last update: 8/29/06
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Walters "other" duties	Maybe listening to a kerchunker?	Giving advise	Watch out you kerchunkers
	Walt and Nyla	Walt and Nyla

I first got to know Walt soon after I got my Ham Radio license in 1988. At that time he was already an important part of what makes the N6ICW repeater so popular. Many people get into radio with much enthusiasm but fade away when something new catches their attention, but over the years Walt was always there sharing his life with ours. He always had time for newcomers to the hobby, sharing his years of experience or maybe just a few words of encouragement. I consider him a true ambassador for Ham Radio. When we all got together for “Lunch with Walter” he seemed surprised and maybe a little embarrassed that so many people would travel so many miles to meet him. He had a positive affect on more people than he realized. I’m proud to call Walt my friend and I will miss him. Mike Poole (N6RYK)	Bravery is not limited to the military battlefield! In three decades working in a large hospital, I never knew an individual with a more positive, vigorous, attitude toward fighting his battle with cancer. It's a horrible disease but Walt never waivered during his fight. I called him "Senior Walt" and he called me "Younger Walt." We never met in person but I am proud to have called him my friend. Walt Wade, (KE6HQA) Roseville, California	The loss of Walt comes as a blow to ham radio and especially to all those who knew and appreciated him from his many years on the N6ICW repeater. He was one of my first contacts after receiving my license in 1981 and I was privileged to communicate with him from time to time. His "reports" were humorous as well as being timely, and his dedication to not only the N6ICW repeater but to Skywarn are memorable. Yes, he will be missed as a good ham, as a friend, and a true gentleman of the airwaves, but he won't be forgotten. Let him rest in peace. I am truly saddened by this event. Paul W. Girard (KC6TZU)
I remember Walt, KA6VNU as one of the Sacramento area hams who helped get us back into ham radio. Walt was about the only ham that Gayle would talk to along with Jerry, for years. Walt's "Good Morning World" was the call that she would answer. Many people will be far more eloquent in praising Walt, but few will miss him more than we do. We grieve with his family and especially his "bride" of more than 50 years, Nyla. God speed you, big brother! Hal (N6TQR) and Gayle (N6TUE)	Walter was my first contact on the N6ICW repeater. I was listening for about 2 weeks before I got the courage up to throw my call out. It was an afternoon and as I remember it, I timidly threw out my call KG6PTK (since changed to W6AWS). This strong business like voice came back and said “It’s all your’s, go ahead”. At first I was a little thrown off guard, and did not know what to say. I told him I was a new ham, and had just got my courage up to key up. He chuckled and said, “We all have to start somewhere, Welcome!”. From then on, I truly enjoyed his presence on N6ICW. From giving the morning reports, to berating those cursed “kerchunkers”, Walter always had a way with words, and certainly livened up the repeater. Throughout his battle with cancer, he carried himself with class and dignity, no self pity, just pure class. I miss him, and I know everyone else who regularly uses N6ICW does too. Andy (W6AWS)	No ham I've heard has impressed me as much as Walter. I listened to him on scanners long before I got my Novice & Tech licenses in 1990. His warm personality and helpful attitude beckoned many non-hams to join the ranks. His amazing ability to spot an unlicensed "freeloader" caught my attention. He could spot one in seconds! His authoritative voice, sounding just like the Lone Ranger, was enough to shut them down. His knowledge of radios and antennas was more than adequate to advise anyone looking for help how to get out of a problem and get on with ham radio. Those of us lucky enough to meet him face-to-face will never forget how he helped us. He was the best there was! Richard (N6ZRZ)
Walt had referred to himself as "Mr. Wonderful" Those who had the privilege of knowing him would agree- he greatly understated the situation. Marty Small-KD6PHB	I think he was the first Amateur I heard on 2m back in 1992. He even talked to me when I was using the wrong callsign. I have asked him a million questions over the past sixteen years and he has never failed to answer any of the questions. Granted, I didn't understand most of the answers, but He always took the time to help. If I could compare Walter with any other person I have known, It would be Henry Sparks...KB2DLE. Those who knew Henry can relate to this.If we are lucky, we meet a very few people in life that makes our life special. I have met and known two. I now believe that Walter is giving instructions on which way to point the antenna and Henry is holding up the mast. Walter, 147.195 will "never" be the same! The world will never be the same! Patrick...N6ARO	Hello Walt where ever you are: I never got to meet Walt personally, however we talked occasionally on 147.195. I just found out of Walt's passing this morning August 29th. I am Austin Reid, I have had the pleasure of listing to the morning group up until 8:00 AM for several years while waiting to cross the kids at a local school. I will miss hearing him in the mornings. I did not know Walt was ill till one morning just about the end of the school year June of 2006. May God keep him and bless his family. Yes indeed he will be for ever missed. Austin Reid - KB6MIM