Walter "Winger" Debus Jr.

Walter "Winger" Debus Jr., passed peacefully in his Hammond home on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.  Born February 9, 1943, in South Bend, Indiana.

Walter was passionate about creating lasting memories with family and friends and living by his motto of "live life to the fullest".  He was an avid motorcyclist, and a member of the Southern Crossroads motorcycle group and the Iron Butt Association where he earned a certificate held by few. He completed many long motorcycle trips, most notably his 9800 mile trip from Hammond to the Arctic Circle, Alaska, this past summer at the age of 79. He was a retired electrical engineer and inventor of the SPOT satellite messenger that has saved thousands of lives, he was a proud Vietnam Veteran, US Navy, Submarine Division and a former Chief of Police in the town of Nottingham, NH where he lived and raised his family.  

Walter is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Ava Ledford Ladell Debus, his children; Walter Debus III and his wife Tracy, Jackie Leavitt and her husband Ricky, Amy Santiago, Andy Neubauer and his wife Nancy, Lori Pellatt and her husband Barry and Scott Ladell. His grandchildren; Courtney, Billy, Cody, Abby, Dylan, Max, Maddy, Lila, Molly, Brendon, Brody and his great granddaughter Kiley. His siblings, Ron, Tobi, Sue and Judy.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm with a memorial service at 1:00 pm at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, 2000 N. Morrison Blvd, Hammond LA, 70401.  A guestbook is available at www.harrymckneely.com