Walter Edward Barnett, 82, died Wednesday, August 15, 2007, at his home. He was born in Talladega, Alabama on February 16, 1925, the son of Walter and Lee Ella (Etress) Barnett, and grew up in Sycamore, Alabama. \r\nHe graduated from Winterboro High School and joined the U.S. Navy in July 1943. He served on the Atlantic Coast. Walter, also known as Eddie, married Emma B. Kuster on Monday, April 2, 1945 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Eau Claire. Upon his honorable discharge in January 1946, they moved to Eau Claire.\r\nHe joined Carpenters' Local Union 1074 as an apprentice in March 1946 and worked for L.G. Arnold, Inc. for eight years. In 1954, he was elected Business Agent of the Red Cedar Valley District Council serving Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Menomonie, and Rice Lake. In 1956 Eddie was appointed an International Representative for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. It was during this time that he negotiated, for Union carpenters and millwrights in northwestern Wisconsin, the first health and welfare, pension, and vacation plans which later became statewide benefit plans. He retired in June 1987.\r\nEddie was a member of Carpenters' Local Union 1074 for over 60 years, charter member of St. James the Greater parish, a member of the John F. Kennedy Council # 1257, Knights of Columbus, and an active volunteer for The Community Table.\r\nEddie is survived in death by his wife Emma, of 62 years, his daughters and sons-in-law, Ann and Richard Hutton of Rochester, Minnesota, and Mary Pat and William Barnett-Lewis, and one grandson, John Lac Lewis, of Madison, Wisconsin. In addition he is survived by sister-in-law, Martha Bauch of Rockford, Illinois and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Mary Agnes and Paul T. Dunn of Knoxville, Tennessee; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Oliver; and three sisters, Thelma, Lou, and Betty Jean.\r\nFuneral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 20, 2007, at St. James the Greater Catholic Church with Father John A. Schultz officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Lenmark Gomsrud Linn Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Monday at church. There will be a 7 p.m. Public Prayer Service Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery, Eau Claire where American Legion Post #53 will conduct military honors. \r\nThe family requests memorials be directed to: The Community Table, 1300 1st Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54703, St. Joseph's Home Hospice, 2661 Cty. Hwy. I, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 or St. James School Library, 2502 11th St. Eau Claire, WI 54703 \r\nHe will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his faith, work ethic, and his willingness to help others.\r\n

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