AUBURN – Walter S. Manchester, 76, of Mechanic Falls, died Saturday at Clover Health Care Center.

He was born in Lewiston, Dec. 13, 1927, the son of Ernest and Katherine Cody Manchester.

He graduated from Mechanic Falls High School in 1945 and faithfully served his country in the Army during World War II, being discharged in 1947.

On June 30, 1959, he married Brenda McLafferty in Rangeley.

For most of his adult life he worked in law enforcement. He was a dispatcher for the Androscoggin Sheriff’s Department, a Maine State Trooper, a Probation/Parole officer, and a Probation/Parole Supervisor. He retired in Jan. 1976 due to a work-related accident.

Walter was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, Floyd A. Harlow Post 9787 V.F.W., and American Legion Post 150.

He enjoyed hunting with his friends and his sons, Scott and Stephen. He also liked to go target shooting with his son, Scott, and granddaughter, Rebecca. His greatest joy were the visits from his grandchildren.

Survivors include; his wife, of Mechanic Falls; daughter, Joanne Manchester, of Mechanic Falls; daughter, Amy Merrill, and her husband, Michael, of West Poland; son, Stephen, of Mechanic Falls; son, Scott, of Hebron; grandchildren, Rebecca Manchester, of Mechanic Falls, Lee-Anna Hopper, Robert and Ryan Merrill, all of West Poland, Stephen Manchester II, of Mechanic Falls, and Macy Manchester, of Hebron; a brother, Roy, and his wife, Jane, of Poland; many special nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, Joey McLafferty, of Rangeley, James McLafferty, and his wife, Diane, of Auburn; sister-in-law, Susan Coombs, of Durham, N.H.; and his Aunt Vern Cody, of Greene; and several cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Kathleen Schwabe; and brother-in-law, Paul Schwabe.