Walter Harry Downing was born August 23, 1897 in Lenawee County, Michigan. He was the son of Charles James and Martha (Carmen) Downing.

On January 1, 1919, he married Vera Mae Grant

1. Dorothy Jean (Downing) Hall

2. Duane Grant Downing

3. Lois Emma (Downing) Natterstad

4. Merlyn Harold Downing

Vera died on January 21, 1929 at the age of 31.

Walter married Helen Craig Pierce on June 11, 1932 and they lived in nearby Britton, Michigan. He died on May 3, 1976 in Britton at the age of 78 and is buried at Ridgeway Cemetery in Ridgeway Township, Lenawee County, Michigan.

"Vera died January 21, 1929. Merlyn was less than two years old. He went to live with Leland and Fannie and was raised as their own son. Harry...later in life they built a new house in Britton. Harry retired in 1960 from the maintenance department at Ford Motor Company in Rawsonville."