Walt was a third generation Californian, born in San Francisco on December 15, 1921.

He spent two years at the university of California Berkeley, then joined the US Navy during World War II as Naval aviator and served as a pilot with fighter squadrons aboard aircraft carriers.

In his youth and as a young adult, Walt worked on ranches in California; and in 1960, moved to Southern California to attend Otis art Institute of L.A. County on a scholarship.

Much of Walt’s work as a painter and illustrator concerns the western horse, ranch life and rodeos, but he drew on thoroughbred racing and the back stretch for many of his subjects. His paintings were acquired by art collectors in the U.S. and Europe, and his drawings, humorous sketches, and illustrated letters were cherished by all who received them. He died in 2011.