Walter Carl Papesch

May 14, 1915 - January 28, 2011
Walter Carl Papesch


Walter C. Papesch, DDS 95, widower of Peggy Papesch died Friday, January 28, 2011 at Davis Health Care Center.

Walter was born May 14, 1915 in Alliance, Ohio the son of the late John and Dorothy Regina Papesch Drotleff and the late Andrew Drotleff. A graduate of Salem High School, he attended Ohio State University and Ohio State University Dental School. He practiced dentistry for 32 years in Cincinnati before retiring to Belleair Beach, Fl. Walter was a Captain in the US Air Force serving China, Burma and India. After moving to Wilmington in 1993 to be with his family, he joined Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church and Wesley Fellowship Class. He was a member of Ohio State University Tower Club, Delta Sigma Delta, The Flying Tigers of the Fourteenth Air Force Association, China Burma India Association, American Legion, The Grand Lodge of F. & A. M. of Ohio and the Shriners International.

Surviving are his daughter Beth Ferguson and husband Jay of Wilmington, granddaughter Heather van Cleeff and husband Martin of Cary, grandson Douglas Ferguson and wife Wendy of Raleigh, and great-granddaughters Saylor and Darby Ferguson, Lucie and Phoebe van Cleeff.

A Memorial Service will be 3:00 PM Sunday, February 6, 2011 at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church with The Reverends David Wade and Margaret Hockett officiating. The family will see friends at the church from 2 PM until the service time.

Memorials may be directed to Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1401 S. College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403, or
Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.

The family wishes to thank our friends, and the staff at Champions Assisted Living and Davis Health Care Center for their loving care given to Dr. Papesch as well as to our family.

Please share memories and condolences by clicking on the “Sign Guest Book” tab above.

Wilmington Funeral & Cremation, 1535 S 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403 910.791.9099


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  • February 04, 2011
    Clyde H.and Janice Stanley says:
    Our sincere condolences to the Family of my Friend,Dr.Walter C. Papesch. We were China,WW-2,Flying Tigers,14th AF Assoc.Vets.

  • January 31, 2011
    Brian and Shawn Cockerham says:
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Grandpa was a great person and I know you have wonderful memories of him, so take comfort in that you know he is in a better place. If there is anything we can do at all, please let us know. All of our love, Brian and Shawn.

  • February 07, 2011
    Dianne and David Cochrane says:
    We cannot be with you in person, Beth and Jay and family, but we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

  • February 15, 2011
    Diane Dagnan says:
    Beth and Jay, Dad sent me the notice on your father Dr Papesch. So sorry to hear about your loss. My prayers are with you. Love you, Diane