Walter B. Graham

Walter B. Graham

Apr 16, 1923 – Jan 2, 2018

Preceded in death by wife, Lorraine R. “Lolly” Graham.  Survived by daughters, Laura Iliff (John) and Marianne Hawkins (Fred, Jr.); grandchildren: Caroline Iliff, Kathryn Anderson (David), and Patricia Stillmock (Michael); great-grandchildren: Graham, Connor and Mason Anderson, Andrew and Caroline Stillmock.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, Jan. 7th from 3pm to 5pm at the West Center Chapel.  SERVICES Monday, Jan. 7th at 10am at Lutheran Church of the Master, 2617 S. 114th St.  Interment, Hillcrest Memorial Park with military honors by American Legion Post #1.  Memorials are suggested to Westside Foundation or Omaha Magical Society.

 

 

24 Comments

  • John Binkly Posted January 4, 2018 2:25 pm

    Marianne and family,
    My heartfelt sympathy. May god comfort you and your family at this time of sorrow, your grief pass swiftly and you find solace in the celebration of your father’s great life on earth and the hereafter with fond memories that last forever.
    God bless,
    John

  • Phil and Suzanne Hardiman Posted January 4, 2018 6:59 pm

    Walt was a great magician and mentor. He will be greatly missed by the world’s magicians.

  • Dave and Sue Arch Posted January 4, 2018 7:00 pm

    I last saw Walt at the magic club meeting on Monday evening, November 20th. I had my two grand boys with me, and Walt performed a card trick for them. I marveled then as he told me he was 94 years old. It wasn’t the first time in my 36 years of knowing Walt that I had marveled at him and his love of magic. Sue and I will miss him. Our lives are richer because we knew him.

  • Jerry and Betty Golmanavich Posted January 4, 2018 8:06 pm

    The last time I saw Walter (He liked when I called him “The Boss”.) was the night I dropped off some stuff because I couldn’t make the last board meeting. He told me he fell 4 times that day. He was in pain. I will remember him for the dinner with Betty and Lolly and me at one of the S.A.M. conventions. I will also remember him for his narration of trips to Minnesota- land of 10,000 Lakes – AND 1000 FISH, My guess is that God doesn’t see that many “Humorous Trixters”. Now he has one first hand. Thank you Dean Walter for saving the OMS. I think we will be around a wjile because of you!

  • Dave Tenneboe Posted January 4, 2018 8:47 pm

    His intelligent conversation and his special grilled cheese sandwiches will be greatly missed.

  • Neil Bable Posted January 4, 2018 8:49 pm

    Walter was a wonderful magician,mentor, friend and human being. He gave me many tricks I bought a “Walter Case” for my magic stuff. I wil miss him at the Hy Vee Friday lunch meetings and showing really fun tricks at the club meetings. Blessings and peace to his family rest in peace my friend.

  • Teller Posted January 4, 2018 10:53 pm

    Walter had a brilliant mind and a heart the size of a house. He was a good and true and always good-humored friend of mine for 40 years. As a magic historian, he rescued one of the most important troves of masterpieces (the work of David P. Abbott) in the history of the art, for which all magicians will be everlastingly grateful. I hold Walter as a model of how much joy magic can bring to the lives of audiences, scholars, and performers. .

  • Scott Klinger Posted January 5, 2018 3:07 am

    He was one of a kind. He educated and inspired FOUR generations of magicians. Although he may be gone his magic will live on in others.

  • Tonya Payne-Satchell & family Posted January 5, 2018 11:03 am

    Our family sends prayers and love to the family of Mr. Graham. May God put his arms around you and give strength and comfort at this time.

    The Paynes. (Tonya, Jamel,Justyce and John)

  • Dave Madsen Posted January 5, 2018 12:07 pm

    I will always remember Walter as the first magician I saw as a live performance when I was young. He always encouraged me. I too have one of his cases for carrying around my stuff. Been using it for many many years and I think of him every time I use it. Condolences to his family.and all his magical friends around the world.

  • Westside Human Resources Posted January 5, 2018 12:48 pm

    So sorry to hear about your father! Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of change and sorrow. Our deepest and most heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. Please let us know how we can help during this time.

  • Nuzhat Mahmood Posted January 5, 2018 3:28 pm

    Laura, on behalf of the Omaha West Rotary club, I’m so sorry to hear of your father’s passing! No doubt you and your family will miss him dearly… may your happy memories comfort you even as you grieve. May you find strength and grace as you lay your father to eternal rest. Blessings and peace to all of you.

  • Larry Brodahl Posted January 6, 2018 5:33 am

    My sympathies to his family, his friends, and his many admirers. Walt was a kind and generous man with both his time and his knowledge, and there’s not a single person in the local magic scene that hasn’t benefited from knowing him. Always a gentleman. I will miss him.

  • Steve Wengel Posted January 6, 2018 2:27 pm

    I will never forget Walt and all the magical mentoring I have received from him! I remember him doing a show I attended when I was probably 7 or 8. I joined the Omaha Magical Society because of his encouragement. I am a proud owner of both his book, and one of his magic cases. He was a really warm and funny person and he brought smiles and laughter to thousands of people with his comedy magic. That is a life well lived.

  • Ray Williams Posted January 7, 2018 10:22 am

    I always played “Poet and Peasant” for Walter whenever he entered a room – by request. Have known him for many years – more than half of my life. Am hoping to attend the Monday, January 8th services.

  • Luis & Rogene Villamonte Posted January 8, 2018 8:45 am

    Walter’s patter was that of a master. Watching him perform was magic, his timing was impeccable. The world has lost a great master magician who loved the art as much as any. We are blessed to have met him and called him friend. Our deepest sympathy to his family.

  • Carol and Larry McChesney Posted January 8, 2018 12:09 pm

    Laura while i never met your 94 year old father the above condolences and knowing the person you are says so much about the man he was. Peace to you and your families ;during these hard times and our prayers are with you. Your memories of Walter are forever with you.

  • LOIS “Ducky” Milder Posted January 8, 2018 12:38 pm

    Thinkinking of Walt’s and Lolly’s dear family
    at this sad time. May their memoirs be a blessing
    To you. Walt always had something up his sleeve.
    He was filled with joy and shared that with so many that knew him. My Mike cherished his friendship.
    Ducky Milder

  • ellen Posted January 8, 2018 3:13 pm

    so sorry to hear of your loss. i still have my graham color coded centering ruler. my condolences.

  • Jim Canaday Posted February 23, 2018 6:46 am

    Walter will be missed greatly. He was one of the finest human beings that I ever met.

  • John and Maureen Bowery Posted February 25, 2018 6:21 pm

    Sorry to hear the sad news. Walt was the first Magician I met after arriving in the U.S.A from England and he was a great friend for many many years and we went to many conventions in Chicago and St Louis together. Always kidding me about stealing American jobs. May his memory live on in the kindness he showed to others. Our deepest sympathy to his family.

  • Darla S Cole-Bowen Posted May 29, 2021 11:02 am

    My most sincerest condolences. Great-uncle Walter was an amazing person and lit up the room whenever he entered. I did not get to spend nearly enough time with him. He will be sorely missed. I know he is with my mother, Shirley Adaline Graham, and great-aunt Pat (Graham) Peters. Its comforting to know he is in the company of family.

  • Susie Quist Posted January 13, 2022 3:44 pm

    I used to wait on Walter and his friends on Saturdays at Danny’s Bar & Grill. He was so charming and funny and low keyed. I knew he was special, but he never let on about being famous. What an awesome man. I have thought of him many times over the years and wondered how he was doing. Sad that he is gone, but what a life he led! 💕

  • Annika Eliasson född Niesel Posted January 22, 2022 12:18 pm

    En sista hälsning från Sverige

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