- Date Of Birth: August 28, 1924
- Date Of Death: March 18, 2016
- State: Michigan
Age 91, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Friday, March 18, 2016. He was born on August 28, 1924 in Detroit the son of Welland and Ada (McClay) Sprague. Walt attended the Edison Institute of Technology in Detroit, N.Y.U. during the war years and Michigan State University after the war. He served in the U.S. Army 104th Inf. Division during WWII, he was captured in Holland on Halloween 1944, and he escaped a German P.O.W camp six months later. Upon returning home he started Danby Manufacturing along with his father, later the business was moved into Portland and renamed Portland Products. Walt was a member of the Portland Kiwanis Club, Civic Club, Chamber of Commerce, the Historical Society and the REO Club of America. He was the Chairman of the Board at Maynard Allen State Bank and a Board Member of F.M.B. Bank. He was a classic car enthusiast as well as a collector and a member of the Portland Playboys, he enjoyed boating, estate sales and bargain hunting. Walt was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Margaret “Peg”; an infant daughter; grandson, Shayne Baker; great grandson, Wayland Baker; special friend, Bille Armstrong. Surviving are his children David (Roberta) Sprague and Susan (Terry) Dingler; grandchildren Brian Sprague, Chris Baker, Josh Baker, Ben Baker, Shayna Baker, Tasha Dingler, and Dusty Dingler; great grandchildren Jesse and Sam Baker; Isaac, Raina and Madalyn Baker; Haley, Sierra and Jersie Huhn; Bristal McCoy and Susie Schaffer; special friend, Bev Dudeck; cousin, Bill (Mary Kay) Sprague and their son, Eric.
