Walter L. Black, Sr., 80, died June 17, 2017 at Wingate of Hampden, with his loving family at his side. Born in Springfield on January 26, 1937 he was the son of the late Francis H. and Bruna (Guidetti) Black. He was brought up in East Longmeadow and educated in the Springfield School System. Walter was a 58 year resident of Hampden who owned and operated Walt’s Auto Body Shop, Main Street, in Hampden, for the past fifty years. He was a member of the Strokers Hot Rod Club, the NCRS Club, and the Hampden Volunteer Fire Department. Walter was a self-taught master mechanic and tinkerer who could create and fix anything, anywhere, any time. He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife and best friend of sixty years, Mary Louise E. (Cormier) Black of Hampden; and leaves four loving children, Susan L. Black of FL, twins Walter L. Black, Jr., of Springfield and William L. Black of Palmer, and Warren L. Black and his wife Stacey and their children, Alexander, Kayla and Peter of Hampden. Walter also leaves his sister, Elvira “Ellie” Otto and her husband Carl of Palmer; as well as several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his siblings Wilma Melikian and Francis Black. Family and friends may gather on Friday evening from 4-7 PM at the Byron Keenan Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center, 1858 Allen Street in Springfield. Walter’s funeral will be held on Saturday, June 24^th at 11:00 AM at the Byron Keenan Funeral Home, and a reception will follow at the Federated Community Church, 590 Main Street in Hampden. To honor Walt’s love of cars and to make him smile, please consider riding in your vintage cars. A private burial will take place in Old Cemetery, Hampden. Contributions in Walt’s memory may be directed to the American Cancer Society, Centralized Memorial Processing Center, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. For more information, please visit www.byrokeenan.com

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