Walter Porras Manalo

Most of the world is covered in water.  A fisherman’s job is simple:  pick out the best parts.  Walter Porras Manalo had a keen eye and steady heart when it came to picking out the best parts of life.  Born on March 30, 1930 in the city of Iloilo in The Philippines, Passed away on January 12, 2021 in Tacoma, WA. Walter was one of several children born to the Manalo family.  Mr. and Mrs. Vicente Manalo raised their children to be forthright, compassionate, and hardworking.  Walter took that to heart.  He worked hard, enjoyed the little things, and when he was lucky enough to find love he held on tight.  Walter married Julia Mendiola and together they created a beautiful family.  Their family grew, he supported his family as a mechanic at Fort Lewis, and he loved that Julia created the soundtrack to their lives with whispered sweet nothings and the sizzle of fresh pie.  In his quiet moments, Walter communed with the water.  With his trusty rod he cast his fortune out into the deep waters and let fate release its ripples upon him.  He loved to fish, loved to feed his friends and family with the spoils of a day’s hard work, and loved that the act brought him time for self-reflection, self-love.  Walter’s love was deep like a river and it will be missed by all those who rejoiced in it.  Those who remain, to travel to his favorite places, drop a line into the river, and continue to love him are his children Florence Leon Guerrero (Charles), Mary Sablan (Donald dec.), Julie Laorosa (Efren), Zina Manalo-Chun Fook (Michelle), Peter Manalo, and Danny Manalo; siblings in The Philippines & Guam; thirteen grandchildren and twenty-four great grandchildren.  He has gone on one last road trip home towards Heaven to hold the hand of his beloved wife Julia, laugh with his grandson Joshua Leon Guerrero & son-in-law Donald Sablan, and see his parents again.  Walter will be buried next to his wife, Julia, at Fir Lane Memorial Park in a private committal service.

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