Walter A. Stokes, 86, of Forest Heights died at 8:50 a.m. Monday at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Born Oct. 8, 1920, in Butler, he was the son of Charles F. and Stella A. Gallagher Stokes.

He had been a foreman in hot and cold mill maintenance at Armco-Butler Works and retired in June 1982.

Mr. Stokes was a life member of the Elks.

During World War II, he served with the Army in the European-African Campaign and earned the Purple Heart with one oak cluster and the Bronze Star medal.

He enjoyed golfing.

Surviving are his wife, Louise G. Stokes, whom he married Sept. 2, 1949; a son, John Stokes of Renfrew; a grandson, Shawn P. Stokes of Virginia; a brother, Roy Stokes of Florida; two sisters, Mary Ann West and Hazel Mitch, both of Butler; and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother and a sister.

<B>STOKES </B>— Friends of Walter A. Stokes, who died Monday, Feb. 5, 2007, will be received from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Friday at the <B>Thompson-Miller Funeral Home</B>, 124 E. North St.Services will follow at 3 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with the Rev. Merry Meloy, pastor of Saint Andrews United Presbyterian Church, officiating.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.Information and a private guest book are available at www.thompson-miller.com.