Walter J. Elliott III, who had a home in Southampton, died on June 1 at Good Samaritan hospital in West Palm Beach, Florida. He would have celebrated his 90th birthday on June 23.
Mr. Elliott was a paratrooper in the 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion and served in numerous theaters, including North Africa and throughout most of Europe. At the Battle of the Bulge, 826 paratroopers from the 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion—only 115 of whom survived—were dropped behind enemy lines. The 551st was then incorporated into the 82nd Airborne. Mr. Elliott received the Purple Heart, the Commemorative Ribbon given by the Kingdom of Belgium, the Presidential Unit Citation, the French Croix De Guerre and the Medaille France Libre.
He lived in Palm Beach and summered in Southampton. He was a member of the Beach Club, the Bathing Corporation of Southampton, the Southampton Club and Gentlemen of the Garden.
Mr. Elliott was predeceased by his wife, Barbara Reynolds Elliott; and a son, Walter J. Elliott IV. He is survived by his children, Glenaan Robbins, R. Brian Elliott, Merrilee Elliott, Neil Elliott, Bruce Elliott and wife Kim; stepchildren, Babette Sughrue, Clifford Sughrue and John Sughrue; and by 17 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
A funeral Mass was held at St. Edward Catholic Church in Palm Beach on June 6.
Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org.