* Walter A. Stinnett; Longtime Gas Co. Employee
Walter A. Stinnett, a retired Southern California Gas Co. employee, died at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura on Wednesday. He was 71.
Born on Feb. 9, 1928, in Oklahoma, he moved with his family to Wasco, Calif., and later graduated from high school.
Stinnett was a resident of Oak View for 35 years and had retired from the gas company in Goleta. During the last 10 years of his career, he worked in the cathodic protection department.
His wife Gwen said Stinnett loved playing with his two dogs, Muffin and Bo. He also loved nature and had a wonderful sense of humor.
About a year ago, Stinnett lost his sight and couldn’t continue his hobby of reading, but he enjoyed listening to books on tape that had been provided by the Braille Institute. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Braille Institute in Los Angeles.
In addition to his wife of 47 years, Stinnett is survived by sons Corby and Steven of Oak View; his mother, Bessie of Wasco; a sister, Billie of Bakersfield, one grandson; and two stepgrandsons.
Visitation will be from noon until 5 p.m. today at the Joseph Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura, which is handling the funeral arrangements.
Graveside services are scheduled at 2 p.m. Saturday at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura with Rev. Harmon Dickey officiating.
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