Obituary of Walter J Wong

Walter J. Wong, a retired electrical engineer, passed away on Monday, July 29, 2024.  He was 95 years old.  Walter was born in Boston, the son of Chinese immigrants, Chun Poy Wong and Der See.  The family lived in Boston until Walter was five years old and then decided to move to Hong Kong.  After the end of World War II, Walter, at the age of 15, returned to the United States with his older brother.  After he graduated from Mission Hill High School, he was drafted into the Army to serve in the Korean War.  He was a member of the 3^rd Battalion and the 5^th Regiment.  He spent 1 year on the front lines in Korea.  One of his duties was being a forward scout doing reconnaissance on enemy positions.  It was very dangerous but vital role in which he saw numerous fellow soldiers and friends wounded or killed during the missions.  Upon his discharge he was the recipient of the Combat Infantry Badge, United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars for heroic and meritorious achievement.  He carried the sadness of lost comrades his entire life.  As a tribute to them and his service to his country, he proudly wore his Korean War cap wherever he went.  

After being discharged from the military, he worked while attending college at night, eventually earning his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Northeastern University.  Walter spent most of his career working for Raytheon as an electrical engineer at their Bedford campus, working on the Patriot Missile System.  He retired from Raytheon after over 30 years of service in 1992.

Walter was introduced to his future wife, Nancy Hom through mutual friends, Kay and Frank Chin at a New Years Eve party held in Chinatown.  A romance blossomed and the couple were married in 1960.  They settled in Burlington in 1962 and had two daughters.  As a father, he wanted the best for his girls.  He provided them with a secure home, education, strong values, and the love and support in all their life choices.  He and his wife, Nancy, got the travel bug in their later years.  They would go on cruises all over the world.  Walter would do much of the planning for the trips that included 20 to 30 friends.  They visited the Mediterranean multiple times, Europe, China, Alaska, the Caribbean, and many other destinations over the years.  During 9-11 he and his friends were stranded in Istanbul, Turkey.  There were always memorable moments, humorous stories filled with laughter, lots of pictures, and long-time friendships.  Walter was a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan – he and Nancy rarely missed a game. He loved working in his garden and harvesting crops that were more than anyone family would ever need.  He also loved music and singing.  He taught Tai Chi classes at the Burlington Recreation Department for many years and practiced daily.  He had a great circle of friends whom he played poker with monthly and mahjong with weekly.  Walter was a very strong independent man who came to the United States with nothing and lived the American Dream.

Walter was the beloved husband of 64 years of Nancy Hom Wong.  He was the loving and supportive father of Rita Wong & her husband Olivier Deudon of Chelmsford and Hilda Wong-Doo & her husband Keith Doo of Winchester.  Walter was the proud grandfather of Jason Deudon, Benjamin Deudon, Julia Doo, and Eric Doo. 

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington on Tuesday, August 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. A graveside service will be held at Forest Hills Cemetery, www.foresthillscemetery.com, 95 Forest Hills Ave, Boston at approximately 12:30 p.m.  Memorials in Walter’s name may be made to the Burlington Parks and Recreation Department Memorial Fund, 61 Center Street, Burlington, MA 01803 for the purpose of placing a memorial bench on the Burlington Common.  For online guestbook and video tribute see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net