Walter Kent Conover

Walter Kent Conover, 82, passed away Saturday, September 17, 2016 at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, VA following complications from a heart attack two weeks prior.

He leaves his four daughters Dana Lisa Welch and her husband David, Lauri Whitlock and her husband Chris Kondo, Donna Lee North, and Deborah Lynne Giles and her husband David; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many close friends.

Born and raised in Pleasantville, NJ, he was the son of Virginia and Ralph Conover.

After graduating from Pleasantville High School in 1953, he didn’t wait until his eighteenth birthday to receive his draft letter. Instead he chose to actively enlist in the U.S. Air Force. During his time in the Air Force, he served as an ammunitions foreman as well as a mechanic for the C-130 Hercules aircraft and was stationed at Homestead AFB, Minot AFB, Pope Field AFB, Patrick AFB, and MacDill AFB. While on temporary duty assignments he spent a lot of time in Thailand. After serving over 20 years, he retired as a Master Sergeant November 30, 1974 in Tampa, FL.

Upon retiring from the Air Force, he took his extensive knowledge of the C-130 overseas to work for Lockhead in Jedda, Saudi Arabia. While there, he traveled extensively through much of Western Europe and enjoyed a photographic safari in Africa.

In 1981, he returned to Tampa, FL and joined the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department and later became a Chief Bailiff at the Plant City Courthouse until final retirement in 1999.

During his retirement years, he split his time between the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, DC and the Wilderness Presidential Resort in Spotsylvania, VA.

He had a passion for researching his ancestry, a deep knowledge of history, a love of cars (especially Cadillacs), and an appreciation for classic movies.

He survived his parents and siblings Burton Conover, Donald Conover, Shirley Conover and Stanley Conover.

A funeral service will be held September 24 at Parsels Funeral Home, 324 New Jersey Avenue, Absecon, NJ. Viewing will begin at 11:00 am followed by a service at 1:00 pm. Burial with military honors will be at the Methodist Church at Absecon Cemetery. For online condolences, please visit www.parselsfh.com.