Walter graduated from West Morris Regional High School, class of 1960 and attended Oakland Prep, Monmouth College and County College of Morris. He was also a lifelong member of Drakestown United Methodist Church, and was a Free and Accepted Mason for 56 years with Lodge #42; Tall Cedars of Lebanon #14 since 1967.

Walter was a retired lineman from JCP&L, having worked in many of the company’s locations around northern NJ. He was also a local business owner for many years, He owned and operated Walt’s Cycle Sales, a Hodaka Motorcycle dealership in Flanders.

Walt never slowed down and was always on the move, building, fixing and operating most anything with an engine. He raced motorcycle scrambles.and sponsored a motorcycle racing team. He earned his private pilot certificate and flew out of both Hackettstown and Andover Airports. His passion in retirement was restoring antique tractors and participating in local tractor pulls. Amidst all these activities he never missed cheering his kids on during their participation in multiple sports in local recreational, Mt. Olive High School and respective college competitions.

His consistent message to his family was to always strive to be the best and not be afraid to stand up and be a leader. This is evident in his active participation in the American Motorcycle Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, Founding president of EAA Vintage Chapter #7 in NJ and past president of the Delaware Valley Old Time Power and Equipment Association. He supported many other organizations through the years in aviation as well. He also served for 6 years in the United States Army National Guard.

Walt is survived by his wife, Lois Ahlers. A daughter, Nancy Ahlers Christian, his son Walter (Buddy) Ahlers, two grandchildren, Vika Christian and Timothy Ahlers and sisters Patricia Baer, Gloria Bickel and brother, Steve Flatt. Walt was predeceased by his parents Emma and Walt Ahlers Sr., sisters Shirley Kearney, Lois Flatt and daughter-in­law Suzy Ahlers.

Services will be by Cochran Funeral Home, High Street Hackettstown, NJ, Visitation will be Thursday, January 6th from 2-4 and 7-9pm, Funeral services will be 11 am at Cochran Funeral Home on Friday, January 7^th.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Shriners Children Hospital or Budd Lake Rescue Squad.