Walter I. Vallett, Jr.

Walter Irving Vallett, Jr. of Naples, FL, passed away on January 6, 2018.  He joined his beloved wife, Bette Barbara MacLachlan Vallett, to whom he was married for 62 wonderful years. 

Born August 11, 1923, in Detroit, MI, he was the son of Walter Irving Vallett and Elizabeth Gladys Gillard Vallett.  He and his sister and brother grew up in Detroit, MI.  He graduated from Michigan State University in 1947.  Walter served as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during WWII.  He served in the Philippines and also in the Korean War.

After his military service, Walter was a founding member of the Walter Vallett Company in Detroit. In 1970, his company acquired the Waggoner Water Heater Company in Nashville, Tennessee. He moved to Nashville with his family where he was the CEO of Comfortzone Corporation, a leading manufacturer of swimming pool heaters in the U.S. Upon retirement, he and his wife Bets, split their time between Harbor Springs, Michigan and Naples, Florida.

Walter was a Mason, a Rotarian, and a member of the Scottish Rite. He was a life-long tennis player, golfer and enjoyed dancing.

Walter is preceded in death by his dear wife, Bette Barbara, and his daughter, Laurie Jean Vallett. He is survived by his daughters, Pamela Childs, (Ralph, Nashville, TN.), Barbara Vallett, (Owosso, MI), Jody Carter, (Wayne, Spring Hill, TN), 6 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, and his dear friend Elizabeth Glattfelder.

On behalf of the family, we would like to thank the staff at the Chateau, Mooring’s Park for their care and compassion.

There will be a private memorial service and burial on January 14, 2018.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Avow Hospice in Naples, Florida.

Walter was a devoted husband, a wonderful father, and a successful businessman. He was generous, kind, and energetic, and will be greatly missed by his family and all those that knew him and loved him.

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