Walter R. Finley

Staff
Posted 10/13/21

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Walter Raymond Finley, 94, of Scottsdale, Ariz. passed away Oct. 1, 2021 at home.

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Walter R. Finley

Posted

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Walter Raymond Finley, 94, of Scottsdale, Ariz. passed away Oct. 1, 2021 at home.

At Walt’s request, there will be no visitation or funeral service. He would prefer that you reminisce about the good times and raise a glass of Macallan in his memory.

Walter was born April 30, 1927 in Waltham Township, LaSalle County to Albert James and Ruby Evelyn (Willsey) Finley.

Survivors include four children, Gail (Mike) Espinoza of Jamestown, N.Y., Paul (Debbie) Finley of Earlville, and Dave Finley and Terri Finley of Sun Lakes, Ariz.; seven grandchildren, Steven (Faith) Espinoza of Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., Laura (Darren) Towers of Annapolis, Md., Jake (Meghan) Finley of Earlville, Kelsey (John) Peters of Marseilles, Jenna (Joe) Young of Serena, Connor (Kara) Finley of Ottawa and Harwell Cook of Sun Lakes, Ariz.; two brothers, Earl Finley of Madison, Ala. and Russell Finley of Gilman; and 16 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Jensen Finley in 2010; one son, Mark Finley in 2019; and three brothers, Arthur, C. Kenneth and James Finley.

Walt was a graduate of Mendota High School and served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1945 to 1946. He attended Illinois State University for two years, then transferred to the University of Illinois where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in business. He and his family lived in southern California for many years, where he and a partner owned Swift-Cor, an aerospace components manufacturer. After moving to Arizona, Walt became a full partner in Cal-Eaton Properties of Tempe for many years, finally retiring at the age of 89.

Walt will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather who thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his family. He was also an enthusiastic world traveler who knew how to enjoy life’s small pleasures, such as sharing a glass of his favorite Macallan with friends and family.