ALTAMONT — Walter Joseph Thatcher, who served in Korea, played in big bands, and worked in the family building business, died on Dec. 7, 2021 in his Altamont home. He was 93.
He was born on Aug. 26, 1928 to the late Walter Otis Thatcher and Mildred Francis (née Earing) Thatcher of Albany. He graduated from Roessleville High School in 1946, and studied clarinet and saxophone in Albany.

“He played in youth and professional Albany big bands of the time,” his family wrote in a tribute, “including the Earl Kent Orchestra, as well as later playing many area venues with his own trio, the Celebri-Tones, as a member of Musicians Local 14.

“Walt volunteered for service in World War II at age 17 but was rejected for color-blindness, about which the Army changed its mind when he was drafted for service in Korea in 1951. He served with the 7th Division Signals Corps, earning the Combat Infantryman Badge, United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean Service medal with three service stars. He was discharged in late 1952 as a sergeant.

“Walt returned to Albany and worked with his father, a third-generation carpenter. He took on the responsibility of the family business operations, working late into the night on the books and then putting in a full day on the job site the next morning. Under Walt’s direction, Thatcher and Sons became Thatcher Builders Inc. and built dozens of custom homes in the Capital District while remaining a small, quality-focused company.

“Walt officially retired in 1983, meaning he stopped being paid, but never stopped building.  He first built a new family home in Altamont, doing heavy work like raising stairs alone using his knowledge of physics and pulleys. He then built apartments, additions and decks for family members’ homes, never asking for any payment. 

“He would frequently solve household or family problems by putting together a novel device in his workshop, and continued noting events in his series of daily journals dating back to 1960. Always an animal lover, he enjoyed the company of Labradors Charlie and Wally.

“His work done and done well, Walt passed away peacefully in his own home.”

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Walter Joseph Thatcher is survived by his wife of 61 years, Gloria Jean (née Gifford) Thatcher, and by his daughter Terry Waltz and her husband, Craig R. Waltz.

His parents, Walter Otis Thatcher and Mildred Francis (née Earing) Thatcher, died before him, as did his brother Richard, and sister Dorothy Anne.

“Special thanks to Dorothy’s daughter Diane Deyoe for her many, many hours of help and support at the end of Walt’s life,” his family wrote.

A dual memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on May 24 at Saratoga National Cemetery for brothers Walter Joseph Thatcher and Richard Donald Thatcher (1931-2021). “Both served in the Korean conflict, Walt in the Army and Dick in the Navy,” their family wrote.