Walter Ullman

Walter Lee Ullman, known best as Walt, was born on September 28, 1944 in Muncie, Indiana to Walter Maynard and Alberta Perkins Ullman. He graduated from Muncie Central High School in 1962 and Ball State University in 1966. He completed Air Force pilot training in 1968 surviving a bird strike to his military jet, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He left for Vietnam shortly after where he flew C-141 transports and stood by every casket in the cargo bay and thanked each soldier for their service. He returned to Muncie in 1972 to pursue his Masters degree in Journalism and Public Relations. It was there he met the love of his life, Virginia Coop-Ullman, or Jenny as he called her, a fellow Masters degree student. They married in August of 1975, and moved to South Bend, IN so Jenny could pursue her law degree at Notre Dame University. Walt began his career at the Bendix Corporation. In 1980, he was transferred to San Antonio with Bendix, then went to work in the aerospace industry at Dee Howard. It was this connection that landed him a job at the Boeing Company in Seattle, where he began a wonderful 20 year career as a Flight Crew Training Instructor in Boeing's Commercial Airplane Training Organization, and then later he wrote and maintained the Airplane Operations Manuals for Boeing Flight Operations. When he was in the Commercial Airplane Training position, he had the opportunity to travel to the UK, Taipei, Tokyo and Auckland. Jenny was able to join him on many trips which brought him great joy. They grew to love the great Northwest, but something was missing: family. Health problems began in 1999 and by 2007, Walt had to take early medical disability leave from Boeing. By 2012, a decision was made to move to Texas, where 5 of 7 children resided. Eventually, in 2015 a dream was realized when they moved back to the Hill Country of Austin. Virginia's health issues coupled with Walt's, was bittersweet. Being back in Texas allowed Walt and Virginia precious time to be with children and grandchildren, however, the years of illness took its toll. After many heroic efforts with Walt's health, he succumbed to his illnesses, and left this earth to be with our Lord on April 7, 2016. His parents, (Walter and Alberta Ullman) have preceded him in death, and he leaves behind his wife of 40 years, Virginia Coop-Ullman; son, Scott Ullman (wife Constanza Valencia Ullman and their son Andrew Lee Ullman); and his daughter Anna Christine Ullman Lewis (husband John Lewis and their children Samantha, Avalyn, Carrie Beth and Jacob Lewis) . Also, Deborah Gill Graves (husband Howard Graves, Jr, and their children Bradley Graves and Julia Graves Ramirez), Sheryl Bedell Abrams (husband Brian Abrams and their children Stacy, Justin and Tori Abrams); Michelle Lynne Grossnickle (husband Paul Grossnickle and their children Hannah Grossnickle Coronado and Samuel, Cora and Jacob Grossnickle; Jeffrey Bedell, (wife Mitzi Psencik Bedell and their children Nicholas, Bradi Lynn and Chase Bedell and Kristin and Clinton Stacha; and Greg Bedell (children Joseph, Matthew and Peter Bedell). Also 4 Great-Grandchildren: Anjali Ramirez, Tyler and Madison Graves and Jaxton Crawford. Walt's best friend since the age of 3, Max Zimmerman, had this to say about his dear friend: "For our generation, a true measure of a man was how he raised his children and what kind of person they turned out to be. Walt Ullman was a glowing success. I see Walt in each of you. I see what he taught you directly and through example. Who Walt was lives through you." Walt was a humble steward of the Lord's work until death. He trusted the word of God and His promises for all people. He tirelessly and faithfully served as an Elder at the Lutheran Church of the Cross in Kent. We know by faith that Walt has now seen the face of God, and the Lord has welcomed him to his heavenly home with the words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." Services will be held on Wednesday, April 13 at 11 am at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 10408 Highway 290 West, in Austin, TX. A fellowship gathering to celebrate his life will take place after the service at the church. Interment will follow with full military honors the next day, April 14 at 9:30 am at the National Cemetery at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates any consideration for donations to the Gary Sinise Foundation or Hospice Austin Christopher House. For more information or to express sympathy, please visit DistinctiveLife.com. Screenshot 2016-04-10 20.45.20 Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds, -- and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of -- wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there, I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air... . Up, up the long, delirious burning blue I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or ever eagle flew -- And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God. -- John Gillespie Magee, Jr