AT EASE: Walter Huntley and his life-time pal, dummy Gunner Jimmy Turner, with Sir Ken Dodd and Dicky Mint at the launch of Dummy Bullets
WALTER Huntley, the newspaper veteran who worked tirelessly trying to encourage North West businesses and philanthropists to support All Together NOW!, has died.
Walter spent his journalistic career at the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo, becoming associate editor of both papers, before retiring (from paid-for work) in 1983.
But he was also known for his other “career” in showbusiness – thanks to his love of ventriloquism. With his life-time pal Gunner Jimmy Turner, he played to wartime audiences of troops and civilians.
Walter’s book about his wartime experiences – Dummy Bullets – was published five years ago. He split the proceeds between All Together NOW! and the The Royal Artillery Charitable Fund.
All Together NOW! editor Tom Dowling said: “I was very lucky to have worked with Wally for many years while at the Liverpool Echo. He was a fantastic journalist and a real inspiration and mentor to me and to so many people.
“When he heard of the serious financial situation facing our free charity newspaper, he put himself forward to try and secure more funding for us. Together with David Highet, another ex-Echo journalist, Wally did so much to help keep this great paper alive.
“He was a great pal. A great mentor. I will miss him dearly.”
Walter’s final piece of work appeared in our Christmas issue. In the article he passed on wise words for older people who were trying to deal with the ever-increasing ailments that life throws their way. Here’s his last paragraph . . .
“Now Christmas is almost here and am I going to enjoy it? You bet your life I am! The family will be here – seven of us – and we’ll play the old games just like we used to do with me joining in from a chair and I’ll have a wee dram. Not as many as once happened and drunk more slowly, but each one enjoyed all the more for being so. Life can still be good at 92!”
Walter died yesterday, March 15, aged 92. He leaves Wendy, his wife of over 60 years, their son Ian, daughter-in-law Anne-Marie and three grandchildren Alex, Julia and Felicity.
