NEWPORT NEWS — Walter C. “Walt” Breckons, 76, passed away Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, surrounded by his family following a short hospital stay.
Walt was born in New York in 1944 but traveled around the world as an Army brat and later as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot. He honorably served for 20 years, serving two tours in Vietnam, a tour in Germany and special assignments at the Pentagon and Lakehurst Naval Air Station. Walt received the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, multiple Meritorious Service medals and Air medals and numerous other awards for his service. After retiring as a major from the U.S. Army in 1983, he worked for civil service at Fort Eustis for over 23 years, retiring in 2008.
He spent his retirement years as Uber Grandpa. He and his granddaughters cherished the time they spent sharing news of their school days and activities as he transported them to school, swim team, volleyball, gymnastics and other activities. He was early to every event to ensure he got a good seat to see his granddaughters’ school productions. In recent months, as the pandemic limited activities, he and his family spent treasured time together for movie nights and small family gatherings. Walt loved his family deeply, providing and caring for those he loved. He will be sorely missed and remembered with love. He taught us all so much but did not teach us how to go on without him.
Walt liked traveling, reading, watching NCIS and the beach. We take with us fond memories of camping trips through Europe and beach trips to Emerald Isle, North Carolina. His granddaughters can take pleasure in time spent with him at Disney World.
In recent years, you could often find him and his love driving past Yorktown beach appreciating the sunsets, local events, bridge openings, people watching and exploring which boats arrived to the small port. They also enjoyed welcoming Trans Am cross-country bicycle racers arriving to Historic Yorktown, often with cowbells and fanfare. He was a big fan of the Dallas Cowboys. Walt enjoyed playing and watching golf. For many years, he traveled annually to play golf with friends in New Bern, North Carolina. Walt was a proud friend of Bill W. for 30 years.
Walt was preceded in death by his mother, Maybelle Breckons; father, Walter W. Breckons; stepmother, Georgia Breckons; in-laws, Frank and Sadie Ange, Mildred McCulloch, Everett and Juanita Davis and Michael Davis.
Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 53 years, Sharon Breckons of Newport News; daughter, Carol MacVaugh, and her husband, Jimmy, of Yorktown; son, Walt Breckons, and his wife, Dawn, of Newport News; beloved granddaughters, Danielle MacVaugh, Ana, Alivia and Adaline Breckons; brother, Sandy Breckons, and his wife, Yvonne, of Helotes, Texas; sister, Susie Breckons of San Antonio, Texas; stepsister, Linda Grant, and her husband, Joe, of Benton, Louisiana; brother-in-law, Everett Davis, and his wife, Donna, of Norfolk; sister-in-love, Paula Burroughs, and Jay; and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 26, at Peninsula Memorial Park. Guests are also invited to view a chapel service through livestreaming at 2 p.m. on the same day at Dani MacVaugh’s facebook page.
The family would like to thank the health professionals at Riverside Hospital for their care and kindness. We also thank the staff at Weymouth for their continued kindness.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mended Hearts or the American Cancer Society.
Share online condolences with the family at Weymouth Funeral Home.
