Walter Leroy Hardesty of Otis, Colorado passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday, November 24 ^th , 2020 at the age of 69.  He was born November 27, 1950 in Greeley, Colorado to Clyde and Shirley (Fields) Hardesty.  The oldest of four children, he grew up with his brothers and sister on a small farm on the outskirts of Johnstown, Colorado.  Walt graduated from Johnstown High School in 1968, where he was active in theatre, played football and wrestled for the Roosevelt Rough Riders.  On May 10, 1970 at the Baptist Church of Johnstown, he married the love of his life Linda Spaur, at a ceremony officiated by the same reverend that made them sit together on a youth group ski trip where their romance first sparked.  They then set off on an adventure in dairy farming which eventually lead them to the small town of Otis in Northeastern Colorado.  Walt had an interest in emergency medicine and got his Emergency Medical Technician certification in 1988, eventually working up to an EMT-Intermediate  and spending 30 plus years with the Washington County Ambulance service and 20 plus years with the Otis Volunteer Fire Department as well as sitting on the Rural Fire Board.  Along with being an EMT, he went to work for the Washington County Sheriff's Office doing dispatch.  When the Washington/Yuma County joint communications center opened, he transitioned to the operations coordinator, working his way up to Director, a position he held for 22 years.

Walt was an outgoing man who thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and was active in his community and church.  He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish and hunt and was a top marksman on the trap range.  He loved spending time at Lake McConaughey and never found a fishing hole he didn't like.

He is survived by his loving wife Linda of 50 years; sons Marcus (Esther) Hardesty of Parker, Colorado, Matthew (Tracy) Hardesty of Wray, Colorado, daughter Laura (Jake) Fidler of Cuba, Illinois;  grandsons Ty Hardesty, Jacob Hardesty and Caden Hardesty; granddaughters Alea Hardesty, Addison Fidler and Alyssa Fidler; great grandchildren Renli Arkulari and Riggs Arkulari as well as his three siblings Marj (Rod) Jones, Ray (Sheryl) Hardesty, Les (Sherrill) Hardesty, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services will be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Sterling , Colorado on Saturday, November 28, 2020 at 10:00 am with graveside services following at the Otis Cemetery.  Memorial donations can be made to the Emmanuel Baptist Church Youth Fund or The Washington County Ambulance Service.