Walter J. Crispell passed away after a long illness at Vassar Brothers Medical Center on January 15, 2009, at the age of 77. Born in Kingston on November 1, 1931, he was the son of the late Walter and Cora (Horn) Crispell. He was a graduate of F. D. Roosevelt High School, class of 1950. During High School he lettered in four sports, football, baseball, basketball, and track. He joined the United States Air Force in 1950 and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was assigned to the Strategic Air Command with the B-52 Bomber Squadron at Lake Charles, Louisiana. He served one year in the Korean Conflict, and was honorably discharged in December, 1954. On January 30, 1955, at St. James Episcopal Church in Hyde Park, he married Evelyn Jean Bedding. She predeceased him on April 27, 2007. He is survived by a son, Glenn and his fianc, Lisa Webb, of Poughkeepsie; a daughter, Susan Crispell and her fianc, Tim Conn, of Pleasant Valley; two grandsons, Greg Crispell and his wife, Sarah, of Highland, and Ryan Tong, who is serving in the United States Marines, at Camp Lejeune, N. Carolina. He is also survived by a brother, Niles Crispell and wife, Judith, of Hyde Park; sister-in-law, Beverly Crispell, of Kingston; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers, Clifford Crispell of Kingston, and Kenneth Crispell of N. Carolina. Walter was President of Crispell Hardware Store, co-owning it for fifty years with his brother, Niles. He took great pride in providing this service to the Hyde Park Community. Walter was a thirty-nine year member of The Triune-Obed Lodge F & A M #782, Poughkeepsie. He was also a twelve year member of Rotary International, serving as President of The Hyde Park Rotary and also serving as a Conference Chairman and Governors Representative. He had also achieved the Rotary title of Paul Harris Fellow. Walter was a life member of The Holland Society, the Dutchess County Sportsman Association, the Crum Elbow Sportsmen?s Club, and the American Hunters Organization. He was a former member of the Poughkeepsie Tennis Club, Red Hook Golf Club, Roosevelt Fire District, and The Hyde Park Swim and Tennis Club. He was also a former member of The Beaver Meadow Club in Minerva, NY. Walter was instrumental in bringing Pop Warner Football to Hyde Park. He was a member of the 1949 championship football team at FDR High School and was inducted into the FDR Hall Of Fame. Walter was a true sportsman all his life, enjoying hunting, fishing, softball, tennis, skiing, and in his later years, his passion became the game of golf. Our family wishes to thank all the friends who took the time to help him, may God bless you all. We give thanks to the Roosevelt Rescue Squad, Alamo EMTs and Vassar Brothers Medical Center, whose care during dads last days was the very best. Our thanks also go to Hospice of Dutchess County. Calling hours will be from 2 to 5 pm, Sunday, January 18, 2009 at Sweets Funeral Home, Inc., Rte. 9, Hyde Park. Masonic services will be held at 3 pm. Funeral services will be held at 4: 30 pm during the calling hours. Rev. Chuck Kramer will officiate. In keeping with Walters wishes, cremation will follow and his ashes will be buried in the family plot in Union Cemetery of Hyde Park in the spring. Memorial donations may be made to the Roosevelt Fire District, 1 Roosevelt Rd., Hyde Park, NY 12538, or, the Dutchess County SPCA,. 636 Violet Ave., Hyde Park, NY 12538. To send a condolence or for directions, please visit www.sweetsfuneralhome.com.