Walter Manor Stafford Tresville, IV

Walter Tresville IV, affectionately known as Lil’ Walt, the son of Walter and Veronica Tresville III was born September 16, 1977 on a Marine Corps base called Camp Pendleton located outside of Oceanside California. The family moved back to Cleveland in spring of 1978. Walter, also known as Lil Walt, attended Adlai Stevenson and Verda Brobst Elementary schools alongside his sisters Trina and Shelley. Walter also attended Charles Elliot middle school and both shaker heights and John F. Kennedy high school.

            When Lil Walt was six years old, along with his sisters Trina and Shelley, he swam on the John F. Kennedy Recreation swim team.  By the age of eight, he was one of the fastest swimmers in his age group, city wide. He was known for his leaning breaststroke as he glided through the water. Lil Walt also played baseball for Saint Henry’s Little League through middle school. Lil Walt was also given the name of “Gangbusters” by his grandfather, Walter II, because of his style of card playing, as he was very precocious. Walters' great grandmother taught him how to cheat playing cards and would often give him money to keep playing and beat his sisters when he ran out of nickels.

            During the 1990’s Lil Walt, with his sisters, worked part time for their dad who co-owned Golden Grill Catering Services with cousin David Hill, located in the old Cleveland Convention Center. As an adult, Walter IV worked for his father and with his uncle Tony Phillips in construction, as well as Otis Maintenance. He became very good at painting, carpentry, and anticipating the needs of his co-workers.

            Lil Walt enjoyed discussing politics with his mother and father. He was an avid Cleveland Browns fan and would dress up in his Browns gear every game day. He also enjoyed going to Mr. Mac’s Bar and Grill with friends to watch games. In spite of his personal and internal battles he loved spending time with his family and participating in family events such as kayaking, horseback, and camping. Lil Walt would also grace his family with his special dance performance. His favorite music to dance to was music from the ‘90s. He never turned down a dance battle with his nieces, Erin and Eres. As a child he always wanted a dog, so he took every opportunity to walk his nieces’, nephew’s, and son’s dogs Ox, Lady, Asa, and Blu.

            Walter IV died Sunday August 15, 2021 leaving behind his son Walter Malik Tresville (mother Sholanda Harris), his parents Walter and Veronica Tresville III, his sisters Trina Tresville, Shelley Hunt ( Sean Hunt), nieces Brittany, Brianna, Mikayla, Erin, Eres, and Kenace, nephew Mekel Gibbs, and great niece Weslie Iman (Mani), grandmother Jessie Durham and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

I am not for everyone

I know my truth, I know who I am

I know what I do and do not bring

to the table, I am not easy to deal with

but I do bring tons of value

I bring love and strength

But I am not perfect, and if

I don’t fit in with a person or group

That’s okay with me

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