Died March 26, 2024
LELAND - Spencer Allen Walters, 78, of Leland, passed away on March 26, 2024, in Traverse City. He was born on November 26, 1945, in Traverse City, Michigan, to Allen and Elsie (Rokos) Walters.
Spencer graduated from Central High School in Traverse City. After high school, he began working for Alka Tool and Die as a supervisor in Suttons Bay, where he spent several years with the company. Following the closure of the company, he moved to Pennsylvania and worked at Alcoa. It was during his time in Pennsylvania that he met and married his beloved wife, Gretchen (Gaughan) Walters, on February 14, 1997, in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania. After twelve years in Pennsylvania, they relocated to Spencer’s cherished home in Leland, in beautiful Northern Michigan. Spencer was an avid solitary outdoorsman who had a deep love for nature and being outdoors. His favorite place in the world was next to the creek at their cabin in the woods on their property in Cleveland Township, where he enjoyed watching the local wildlife, including a bald eagle, bobcat, cougar, deer, and many squirrels. He was passionate about gardening and had a green thumb, cultivating both flowers and vegetables. Spencer enjoyed landscaping in his retirement and was always eager to tackle any project, never content to sit still. He had a love for cooking and hunting, often joining his father and uncles on hunting trips in Kalkaska as a young man.
Spencer is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Gretchen Walters; his son, Shannon Walters; his stepchildren, Nicole Alati and Joseph Alati; his sister-in-law, Marie Niedzwiecki; and his grandchildren, Iris and Twyla Walters, and Violet and Lilly Alati. He was preceded in death by his parents, Allen and Elsie Walters; his brother, Gregory Walters; and his brotherin- law, Robert Niedzwiecki.
Cremation has taken place, and private family services at the Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens have been held.
Please share condolences with the family at www.martinson.info.
Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.
