Walter James Crofut, patient husband, hilarious storyteller and master plumber, set aside his work boots for the last time on Sunday, July 29, 2018 at the home of his daughter, surrounded by those he loved most.He was born 84 years ago, on February 3rd, 1934, to Charles Merwin and Florence Grace (Martin) Crofut in Ossining, NY. In 1940, his family moved to Arlington, VT where he spent his childhood years, and attended Arlington schools.Always up for an adventure, he traveled to Alaska the summer after graduation to work in a gold mine.Later he returned to Arlington, attended trade school, and worked for both his father’s plumbing and heating business, and J. H. Winslow Plumbing and Heating in Bennington, VT. After several years of bachelorhood, Walt married Emily Chandler McGuire on July 5th, 1963 at St. James Episcopal Church.The following years brought the birth of their daughter and a move to Northwest Arkansas.Walter continued his craft with Stokes Plumbing & Heating in Rogers, AR and the Rogers Public Schools.After retirement, he manned the sales counter at Able Plumbing in Bentonville and dispensed invaluable advice to those with a plumbing predicament.With a warm smile, a kind heart, and wicked sense of humor, Walter put everyone he met at ease and never met a stranger. In his final years, he came to live with his daughter and her family as they traveled and moved all over the country.He loved his family and without him, the mail would have never been picked up or the trash taken out or hinges oiled, and they would have lived in the dark with light bulbs that needed changing.He kept them laughing and in line till the very end.Lively memories of his witty comments will forever by remembered by his devoted wife, Emily Chandler Crofut; a brother, Donald Crofut of Burlington, VT; daughter and son-in-law Chris & Rindy Archer; four grandchildren (Chelsea (Peter)Noriega, Jennifer(Rob)Moylon, Chandler Hoover, and Brynn Hoover); two great granddaughters (Charlotte and Aria); sister in law Nancy McGuire, along with nephews and nieces. A private memorial service will be held on the edge of the Battenkill River in the fall. Notes of condolence may be left at www.bramanmortuary.com. Instead of flowers, Walter would hope that you be kind to your local plumber, offer a helping hand to someone in need, or if you so desire, make a donation to the charity he long supported, Boys Town (14100 Crawford St.Boys Town, NE 68010).
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