Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/101356
42 ��� JANUARY 2013 ��� WORLD FENCE NEWS Phenomenal fence man Walt Easter continued from page 38 Walt���s first marriage in 1948 was short, and produced his only son, Ronny. He married his second wife, Marie, in 1950. They had three children, Jan, Nancy and Judy. After 31 years of marriage, Marie passed away in 1981. In 1982, his daughter, Judy, sadly was taken by cancer. Walt was then married to Shirley for 28 years, until her recent passing. Walt built his first fence in 1960 and hasn���t stopped, even though the many obstacles and setbacks he has endured would have defeated a lesser man. In 1970 Walt began drinking. During the early morning hours as I would load his truck, I���d see Walt doing what he could to keep the shakes away. When finally realizing it was time to stop, Walt sought the help of AA and of a higher power. He quit cold turkey on December 21, 1978, and has not had a drink since that day. In 1992 Walt suffered his first heart attack. He had another in 2003 and a third in 2011. Imagine having a heart attack then going back to a manual labor job three days later! Well, that���s exactly what Walt did after his last two heart attacks. He has also had major surgery on his left shoulder. Against his doctors��� ardent orders, Walt went back to fencing a few weeks later. Walt simply explained to him ���I can still dig holes, it���s no big deal!��� Walt established his company, American Fence, in 1962. He has been fencing for 53 years, doing the majority of the work solely by himself. His crooked fingers and powerful hands attest to his many years of arduous labor and strenuous hand nailing. Walt has never used air tools or power augers; he digs every hole by hand. Walt is an avid hunter and accomplished fisherman. He recently returned from an elk hunting excursion. He commented that he probably shouldn���t have made the trip, as he had recovered from a bout of pneumonia just weeks earlier. Pheasant hunting is also one of his favorite pastimes. At 87 years old Walt still loves fencing. But for him it���s not just the satisfaction of doing an honest day���s work. He stresses that it���s also the many wonderful people he gets to meet and the business itself. ���Besides,��� says Walt, ���there is nothing on TV worth watching so I might as well go to work.��� Walt���s spirit and humility have been tempered by his many years of challenges, hardships, diligence, and tenacity. What can be said of an 87-yearold man who still makes a living digging at the earth all day long with the most basic of hand tools? I could not have more respect for any man than I have for Walt Easter. I am proud to know him not only as his fencing supplier, but also as his friend. Jim Hatfield said that Mr. Easter was one of the first fence men he met, and he has been supplying him through the Tacoma, Washington branch of Merchants Metals since 1978. Over those years Jim has grown to know him well and greatly respect him, and wanted to share his unique story with World Fence News readers. Above, Walt stands next to the first fence he built, sometime around 1962. Walt, a World War II veteran, in uniform. Walt established his company, American Fence, in 1962. He has been fencing for 53 years doing the majority of the work by himself.