Walter McAtty passed away Friday, Aug. 12, 2016, at Tri-State Memorial Hospital of lung cancer. He was 83.

Walter was born Sept. 11, 1933, in Juliaetta, to Abel and Stella McAtty. He was raised in Juliaetta and later went to Chemawa Indian Boarding School in Salem, Ore. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War until his discharge. Walter moved back to the Lewiston area, where he attended training courses in Lewiston. He met LaVeda Faye (Rickman) and they married, making their home in Lapwai. LaVeda passed away in 1980.

Walter is survived by his daughter, Suzanne Leigh McAtty; son Adrian Jon McAtty; sister Beatrice Lawrence; grandchildren Anndrea D. McConville, LaBronte L. Matthews, Adrian J.J.W. McAtty, DreAnne Leigh LeGarde; and many more grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, LaVeda McAtty; son Walter "Nim" McAtty; Darlene James Loma; and two brothers and two sisters.

A viewing will be held at 7 p.m. today at Spalding Church. Burial services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Spalding Cemetery. A dinner will follow at Spalding Church.