HERKIMER - Walter Hiram Babcock, age 87, of Marion Street, passed away peacefully on Friday morning, Oct. 5, 2001 in Little Falls Hospital. He as born on Feb. 26, 1914 in Waterville, son of the late Oliver Wirt and Matilda Brazie Babcock. Walter moved with his parents from Waterville to Ilion. Except short periods, he lived in Herkimer since that date. He attended the one-room schoolhouse in Fort Herkimer. He was a graduate of Herkimer High School Class of 1932 with honors in commercial subjects. He was a member of the National Honor Society and the National Thespians. He continued his education by correspondence with the International Accountants Society, Chicago, Ill., a group of certified accountants. On June 29, 1940, he married Marjorie Hunt in the Herkimer Reformed Church, a loving union of fifty-seven years until her passing in January of 1998. He began working for the Standard Furniture Company, Herkimer, in 1935 and about a year later was transferred to their office. He left his position as chief accountant in 1961 and was given employment by the public accounting firm of Moore, O'Reilly & Hart in Utica. He was last employed as controller by J. Grippe Industrial Supply Co., Frankfort, retiring in 1981. He was a member of the Herkimer Reformed Church since 1954 and at one time served as elder and deacon. A former member of the Herkimer Lodge 423 F & AM, he served as District Deputy Grand Master from 1977 to 1978. Surviving him are one son, Walter Hunt Babcock of Herkimer; a stepson, Richard E. Butler and his wife Deanna of Gloversville; one son-in-law, Frank Helmer of Herkimer; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a nephew, Michael R. Babcock and his wife Beverly of Clinton; and a niece, Sharon Marie Grant of Barneveld. Besides his parents and wife Marjorie, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Sarah Ann Helmer in 1999 and two brothers Oliver Perry Babcock and Robert Alonzo Babcock. A service of Remembrance and Rejoicing will be held on Saturday, Oct. 13, at 10:30 a.m. in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court St., Herkimer. The Rev. Donald Battjes, pastor of the Herkimer Reformed Church and the Rev. Gary Wilcox, pastor of the Emmanuel Bible Church, Mohawk, will officiate. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. The family will be present to receive relatives and friends in the funeral home on Friday, Oct. 12, from 4 until 7 p.m.