Walter Rayner Blair, Jr., 87, of Leonardtown, MD passed away July 5, 2014, at MedStar St. Mary's Hospital. Born August 25, 1926, in River Springs, MD he was the son of the late Walter Rayner Blair and Mary Gladys Bailey Blair.

Walter graduated from St. Mary's Academy in Leonardtown, MD and enlisted in the United States Navy from which he was honorably discharged in 1946. Once out of the Navy, he began taking watch repair classes. He started his career with a watch repair business in Leonardtown, MD in 1948 at the age of 22. This business evolved into Blair's Gifts and later a catalog showroom, W.R. Blair, Inc. At its peak, W.R. Blair included 5 catalog showrooms spanning from Annapolis, MD to Fredericksburg, VA and was in operation for 22 years. His company motto was "Treat the Customer Royally." Walter retired in 1991 after a 42-year career.

Walter was married ­­­July 30, 1950 to Marion Elizabeth Graves at Holy Angels Church in Avenue, MD. They spent nearly 50 years together before she passed away July 28, 1999. Together they raised four children and had eleven grandchildren to whom he was known as "Pop Pop."

Walter devoted his life to his community, serving as a director of the First National Bank of St. Mary's and was a past President of the Leonardtown Lions Club. He is remembered for his strong Catholic faith and belonged to St. Francis Xavier Church in Compton, MD.

Walter enjoyed his boat the "Fascination," travelling with his family and friends and companion Gladys Guy, as well as spending time with his Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, "Jewel." Walter is remembered as a great husband, father, grandfather, friend and businessman; he will be deeply missed for his kindness, loyalty, generosity and wit; a true gentleman who loved life and was always up for an adventure.

Walter is survived by his daughter Bonnie Blair O'Connell and her husband John, daughter Libby Blair, son Walter Rayner Blair, III, daughter Laura Blair Sullivan and her husband Michael; and eleven grandchildren: John O'Connell, III, Blair O'Connell, Brooke O'Connell, Elizabeth Miles, Allison Wright, Stephen Wright, Scott Wright, Alexandra Blair, W. Rayner Blair, IV, Lauren Sullivan, Shannon Sullivan. He is also survived by brother Joseph M. Blair, Jr. and sister Patricia B. Bailey.

Along with his parents and wife, he is also predeceased by sister Catherine D. Blair and brother J. Matthew Blair.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at 10:00 AM in St. Aloysius Catholic Church Leonardtown, MD with Cardinal Theodore McCarrick officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Zion United Methodist Cemetery Mechanicsville, MD. Pallbearers will be: John T. O'Connell, Jr., Michael J. Sullivan, John T. O'Connell, III., Blair C. O'Connell, Stephen A. Wright, and W. Rayner Blair, IV. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Keith Allston, T. W. Bell, Bill Bailey, John Wetherald, Joe Stone, Bobby Mattingly, Randy Rollins, Robert Moeller, Kenny Graves, and Ricky Blair.

Contributions may be made to St. Francis Xavier Manor House Restoration Fund, 21370 Newtowne Neck Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD.