Walter William Tanner, Sr.

Walter (Shots) William Tanner, Sr., 95, of Cambridge passed away on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at Mallard Bay Care Center. He was born on December 12, 1919 in Newark, New Jersey. He was the son of the late Clarence and Gertrude Trensch Tanner.

Mr. Tanner’s family moved in 1920 from New Jersey to Salisbury, where he attended primary schools. In 1931, the family moved to Cambridge. Mr. Tanner graduated from Cambridge High School in 1936. The nickname “Shots” came from his love and skill in basketball.

“Shots” enlisted on December 8, 1941, in the United States Navy on the second day of World War II and served until the end of the war. He was honorably discharged with a rating of Aerographer Mate First Class.

Mr. Tanner’s career began at the Thomas E. Jones Company and then the Phillips Can Company where he served as the President of the Draco Workers Union and later as a supervisor. Phillips was acquired by the National Can Corporation where he was employed in various positions. He retired in 1982.

On March 15, 1946, he married Evelyn Elaine Lewis. She passed away on December 15, 2012. They had been married for 66 years.

Mr. Tanner had been a member of the Grace United Methodist Church since 1946. He had served as Lay Leader, Sunday School teacher of the Original Young Adults Class and various committees. He also was a member of the Senior Choir for many years.

He was an active member in the Dorchester community until the later years. He had been an honorary member of the Rescue Fire Company, Elks Club and a Cambridge Country Club member. He was a Cambridge Rotary Club member since 1968 and had served as Club President from 1976-1977. He had also served on the Board of Directors of the Dorchester General Hospital Foundation, Inc. as a charter member.

He is survived by a son Walter W. Tanner, Jr. from a previous marriage. He is also survived by one brother Alan R. Tanner and his wife Patricia and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his wife and parents, he is preceded in death by three brothers Clarence, Frank and Edward Tanner and two sisters Bernice Evans and Dorothy Fischer.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 11, 2015 at 12 pm at Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge with Rev. Christina Blake officiating. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 11 to 12. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Grace United Methodist Church, 501 Race Street, Cambridge, MD 21613.