Walter Thomas Manley passed away in Medicine Hat on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the age of 90 years.  He was born to William Hartley Manley and Ivy Minni Manley of Lethbridge, Alberta on April 16, 1934.  Walt lost his Father in 1936, and was raised by his Mother and Grandmother along with his two brothers Paul and Robert.  He was educated in Lethbridge, and it was there that he met and married Grace Swihart, from Vidora, Saskatchewan.  

Dad and Mom’s early life moved them from Lethbridge to Medicine Hat and finally to Vidora, Saskatchewan in 1964, where Dad started his lifetime career as the ‘Administrator of the RM Reno #51’.  In 1968, the RM Office moved to Consul, and our family moved with it!  In 1984, they moved to Regina to work in the SARM ( Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities) Offices for a few years and then to Maple Creek as a SARM District Supervisor.  Dad lost his First Love Grace on March 28, 1997 after a long battle with cancer.  He eventually retired to Medicine Hat, Alberta. 
A few years later, Dad met his ‘Sweetie’ Ella Doell.  They were blessed with 23 years of marriage. Dad and Ella shared faith, family, travel, sporting events and companionship together, eventually moving to Meadowlands retirement home. Dad said farewell to his Ella on January 27, 2025, just a mere 40 days before his own graduation to Heaven.

Dad was heavily involved in the Consul community.  Notably, he and Mom ran the community EMS service out of the back of their station wagon from 1964 – 1978 before Consul got their first ambulance. Dad was heavily involved with many community organizations, events, and projects such as: the Consul Church of God, the Community Rink Centennial Building and Artificial Ice projects, the Cypress Credit Union Branch, the Consul Ambulance Service, the Consul Quartet, Cypress Lake Recreation Site, Village of Consul, and many, many more.  He loved hunting, golfing and visiting.  He always had time for us boys, and there were many times the phone would ring after we got home from school and Dad would tell us to, “Load up the guns boys!  I think I can close shop early today!”  We camped, fished, shared time with extended family and did lots of life together.  

The greatest gift Dad gave us was his unwavering faith in Jesus.  It was much more than religion, more than sitting in a church pew.  The teachings and life of Christ formed the framework of his ethics, values, kindness, and love for family and humanity.  He simply wanted to live his life to honour Christ.  Dad’s influence currently reaches three generations into the future, guiding our family to engage culture, community, and humanity with the love and grace of Jesus.

Walt was predeceased by: his parents William Hartley Manley on November 12, 1936, and Ivy Minni Manley (Lippingwell) on September 24, 1987, of Lethbridge, his brothers and sisters-in-law Paul (Marge) and Robert (Frilly); his in-laws Ted and Jean Swihart, Wilson Swihart, Cliff and Mary (Swihart) Smith. 
He leaves three sons who are very grateful for all he gave us;  Dale (Cindy), their children Kimberley (Morgan) Miller, with baby Myla, Jeff (Jordan) Manley;  Dave (Vicki), their children Ben (Irene) with Luke, Elizabeth, Grace, Elijah; Michael (Pamela) with Levi, Scott, Georgia and Russell; Melissa (Ben) Bechtold with Silas, Jairah and Griffin; Gillian (Vince) Child;  Greg (Charla) their children Nathan (Paige) with Owen, Austin, Quinton, Brooklynn; Chelsea (Todd) Duke with Deegan.  Paul and Betty Swihart and numerous, wonderful nieces and nephews!
Thank you to the staff and management of Meadowlands for your kind care of Walt and Ella!

Everyone is invited to a celebration of Walt’s life on Monday, March 17, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in the Consul Community Hall (Consul, Saskatchewan).  Rev. Greg and Rev. Dr. Dave Manley officiants.

Those desiring to honour Walt by tribute are encouraged to consider a donation to Living Hope Ranch, Inc.  PO Box 275 Consul, SK.  S0N0P0 ( www.livinghoperanch.ca ), or to the charity of your choice.