Walter Burnett Repnow, 87, of Coupeville, died Oct. 22, 2007, at his home with his family by his side. He was born in Turtle Lake, N.D., on May 5, 1920, to Walter Wilford and Bertha (Anderson) Repnow. At the age of eight he worked in his father’s coal mine, and once had to carry dynamite back and forth by horseback. In tough times, he also sold magazines door to door. When he was 14 years old he became the first driver of the school bus, which was a horse and buggy.

When World War II broke out he entered the United States Army and served in the Pacific Theater of Operations. On July 14, 1941, he married Dorothy Telenga in Washburn, N.D. After the war he was Chief of Police for Turtle Lake, N.D., and then worked for the railroad.

In June of 1949, he moved to Coupeville and he worked in civil service for Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in Oak Harbor. He took care of all the Navy housing as a plumber, including getting up in the middle of the night for emergency calls. When he finally retired in 1973, they had to hire four people to replace him.

Walter didn’t mind hard work, though, and was always available to a neighbor who might be in need of his services, whether it was plumbing a house or building a fence. He also enjoyed farming and taking care of animals. A collector of clocks, he attended many local auctions.

He is survived by his wife Dorothy of 66 years, children Gary Burnett Repnow of Monroe, Jerry Wilford Repnow (and his wife Corrine) of Vancouver, Delton Duane Repnow (and his wife Marcia of Roy, and Connie Elaine Reamer (and her husband David) of Port Orchard. He also leaves behind granchildren Stephanie, Stacey, Steven, Debbie, Richard, and Jeffrey; great-granchildren Nicholas, Drew, Dane, Joshua, Brianna Jo, Joey, Jessica and Justin; a great-great granchild Cyprian; brothers TeRoy, Milton, and Burnell Repnow all of North Dakota; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by two grandchildren Carrie and Rhonda, a brother Delano, and sisters Elsie and Martha.

Viewing will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 26; funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, both at Burley Funeral Chapel in Oak Harbor. Burial will follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.