Walter E. Bortree, 79, of Willow Street, PA passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. Born in Scranton, PA, he was the son of the late Priscilla Frey (Newton) and Albert Leon Bortree. He was the beloved husband to Joanne (Bittenbender) Bortree for over 57 years. They have been residents of Willow Valley Communities since 2014.

Walter was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, serving for 30 years and retiring as a Colonel in 1994. Walter retired from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in 2004 as a District Engineer after a 33-year long career as a Civil Engineer, five years of which were in Kuwait with the U.S. Federal Highway Administration. He received a Bachelor of Science from Penn State University and received two master's degrees, Public Works and Civil Engineering, from the University of Pittsburgh.

Walter was a member of Calvary Church in Lancaster and Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church in Allentown where he served as an elder. Proverbs 3:5-6 was a guiding principle in his life. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths." These verses were a daily guide for him. Walter ministered for over 40 years with Child Evangelism Fellowship, Inc. (CEF), founding the Kuwait chapter and serving as a member of the Pennsylvania State Board for 25 years and the International Board of Trustees for 15 years. He was a member of the Acacia Fraternity, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), starting the Ham Radio Club at Willow Valley Communities. Walter was an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and was awarded the Silver Beaver Award in 2002 for his distinguished service in Minsi Trails Council. He and Joanne enjoyed traveling both domestically in their motorhome as well as internationally.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his three sons—Brian Bortree (State College, PA), husband of Denise (Sevick), with their daughter Brynn; Tim Bortree (San Diego, CA), husband of Jan Errico-Bortree, with their son Jimmy and daughter Emily; and Brad Bortree (Bridgewater, MA), husband of Jennifer (Speeckaert), with their daughter Rose—as well as his sister, Louise (Willow Street, PA), wife of Ray Seaman.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made locally to Child Evangelism Fellowship, Inc. of PA, P.O. Box 94, Mifflintown, PA 17059 or internationally to Child Evangelism Fellowship Headquarters, P.O. Box 348, 17482 Highway M, Warrenton, MO 63383. A Celebration of Life will be held at noon on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at the Bachman Snyder Funeral Home, 7 S. Decatur Street, Strasburg, PA 17554. For anyone unable to attend the service, it will be live-streamed on Walter's obituary page at www.snyderfuneralhome.com. Video will appear under the obituary beginning at 11:45 a.m. Family and friends will be received from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, March 28, 2022 at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.