​Melvill: Walter (Walt) Bryant, July 6, 1920 - August 29, 2018

Walter Melvill, loving husband of Betty Melvill, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, died at the Brooks Health Centre August 29, 2018, at the age of 98 years, after a short illness.

Walt was born at home on the Arthur and Eliza Melvill farm five miles south of Cereal July 6, 1920. He attended the Cereal School from grades 1 through 8.

After leaving school, he worked on the family farm, at his father’s hardware store, on the Proudfoot farm, at Cooley Bros. Garage in Chinook, and other jobs. When WWII broke out he tried to enlist but was rejected due to a “weak heart.” During the war, he helped operate the family farm during the summers and in the winter worked at the CPR’s Ogden Shops in Calgary making the bolts and firing pins for rifles.

On New Year’s Eve 1942, he met his future wife, Betty, when she came to the dance with friends. They were married July 6, 1946, in the Cereal Anglican Church.

Walt started farming on Betty’s parent’s farm south of Lanfine which they rented for three years. In the fall of 1949, they moved to their farm south of Cereal. Lee was born in May of 1950 and Joy followed in June 1952. Walt and Betty lived on that farm for 65 years.

In the fall of 1954, Walt took over his father’s A.H. Melvill Hardware store, renaming it Melvill’s Hardware. Betty was a big help there and together they ran that store until December 31, 1980.

The Cereal Community was very important to Walt. He was actively involved in the Home and School Association, the Cereal Athletic Association and the Cereal and District Board of Trade, eventually becoming a lifetime member. He helped raise funds for and helped build the Cereal Centennial Arena and curling rink. In 1961-62 Walt broke and cultivated soil around the new Cereal Schoolyard and was instrumental in ordering and getting the trees planted there. He was also the brand inspector at the Cereal Auction Market for many years.

Walt really enjoyed farming, including his cattle and horses and watching things grow such as his garden, his crops, and most importantly, trees. He enjoyed all dancing, but especially square dancing and was very musical. As a young man, he sang and played the guitar.

Walt is survived by his son Lee (Sandy); daughter Joy (Doug) Loewen; four grandchildren: Wade, Aiden, and Kenzie Melvill and Maurie (Charmaine) Loewen; and one great-grandson Darwin Loewen.

He was predeceased by his wife Betty; parents Arthur and Eliza Melvill; brother Raymond; as well as a number of aunts and uncles and several nephews.

Funeral Service was held September 6, at the Cereal Community Hall in Cereal. Officiating Clergy was Rev. Helen Reed. Georgia Sullivan was the organist. A tribute was given by Lee Melvill and Joy Loewen. Special music was provided by the United Chuch Choir. Hymns were Count Your Blessings, God Whose Farm is All Creation and Amazing Grace. Pallbearers were Maurie Loewen, Aiden Melvill, Wade Melvill, Stephen Muzyka, Ron Rude, and Dennis Sampson. Honorary Pallbearers were Gordon Melvill, Kenzie Melvill, John Peacock, and Brian Sampson.

Following the funeral service and interment, family and friends were invited to a luncheon hosted by Lou Melvill in the Cereal Community Hall.

MacLean’s Funeral Home of Oyen in care of arrangements.