Walter Carol Nilles

Walter “Walt” C. Nilles passed away on October 19,2026. He was born October 29, 1934 in Belle Fourche, South Dakota to Matt Nilles and Ada Walton.

Walt was always proud of his German heritage and family. His Dad and Uncle came from Germany by way of South Dakota. When they got to Boise they cut firewood and hauled it to sell. They did this until Matt got his naturalization papers so that he could go to work for the railroad. His mother Ada was working on genealogy. Keep in mind this was at the time World War II was going on.

Some of the earliest stories of Walt’s told were of leaving school at sixteen to go to South Dakota to work on the construction of the new airbase in Rapid City,

South Dakota with some of his Boise friends. That fall he came home for hunting

season and he never went back to South Dakota.

Walt began working for ranchers in Idaho and Jordan Valley and then the Union Pacific railroad for a short time. He then started building fences in Nevada

And clearing land for a ranch in Moapa, Nevada. Then back to Idaho to work for

Joe Lockwood who started him in his own cattle. This was in the Clear Creek area near Idaho City. When that ranch was sold he moved to Boise Valley until 1973. At that time he moved to Grandview and was joined by his brother Bob and in 1980 they bought a place in Little Valley south of Bruneau. While in Grandview they found summer pasture in Fairfield area. It was around this time they met

John and Lois Scruggs in Hill City and summered there until Walt sold his cattle

To Tom and Carmen Buckingham. In his retirement he moved to Tom and Carmen’s ranch where Stacy had built a home for him. It was the best “camp” he ever had. The “boiled cowboy coffee” was always on and sourdough pancakes every Sunday morning.

If you know Walt’s stories you know that this is a very brief summary of a life he built for himself on his own terms. He had an eye for good horses, good cattle and always had a good dog. He was very proud of his “little valley natural cows.” Walt began with Hereford and then Black Ballie and mixed in some Barzona bulls and finally Angus until he had an all black natural herd.

Earlier in his life he loved running wild horses in Nevada and horse roping.

Jack Chappel entered himself and Walt in the horse roping event at the Owyhee, Nevada 4th of July Rodeo. Walt had to borrow a horse and still they won the event. Walt was also one of the founders of the Bruneau Rodeo.

Ron Coles had been a good friend to Walt for many years and took him on several road trips to Montana, Wyoming and Utah. In these last years when he was living in assisted living Ron called him almost every night and listened to many stories over and over from over the years. He tried to visit him almost every week and kept him supplied with gum and whatever he thought he needed plus some sweets from Thelma.

Walt was also instrumental in helping some troubled teens from the city and showing them country life where he taught right from wrong and some good work ethics. A few may have been relatives. However to all they were “Uncle Walt”.

Walt was predeceased by his parents, his brother Pete and his brother Bob.

He is survived by his nephew Loren Nilles and niece Yvonne Pitzer and their spouses and children.

Services will be held on Wednesday October 28 at the American Legion Hall at 10 a.m. followed by burial at Bruneau Cemetery. Luncheon following burial at the American Legion Hall.