Walter Wilhelm Johann Heiden was born September 11, 1903 as the third child of Ernst "Ernest" and Anna (Knack) Heiden. He was born at the family home at 8925 South Custer Road.

He attended the one-room Fonia School which was located about a mile or so away at 11411 Trost Road through the 8th grade. He worked at Amendt Milling Company in Monroe, Michigan.

He married Edith Margaret Spaulding on December 2, 1933 at St Mathew Lutheran Church. She was born August 25, 1917 in Dundee.  They lived at homes on Nieman and Alford Roads in Dundee Township and had six children. Walter's brother, Elmer Heiden, lived with them during much of his adult life.

Walter died at the age of 81 on March 30, 1985 at the family home at 650 Alford Road, Dundee, Michigan. He is buried at the St Matthew Lutheran Church cemetery in Raisinville Township. Edith passed away at 91 on September 1, 2008 and is also buried in the St Matthew cemetery.