White House Historical Association

Walter F. Souser

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"Walter F. Souser," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whitehouseworkers.org/Detail/workers/1211.
Position
Electrician
Years in President's House
1973 – 1978
Gender
Male
Race/Ethnicity
White
Presidencies
Richard M. Nixon
Gerald R. Ford
Jimmy Carter
Biography

Walter Faupel Souser was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on July 21, 1911.1 He later moved to Arlington, Virginia and worked as an oil salesman and mechanic.2 

In 1973, he was hired at the White House to work as an electrician. Staff in the White House Electric Shop ensure that lighting, power systems, and electrical equipment operate safely and efficiently in both public and private settings.3 Souser departed from the White House in 1978; further information about his life and career is limited at this time.4 

Souser passed away on April 19, 1994, and was buried at National Memorial Park in Idylwood,  Virginia.5 

  1. “Birthdays,” Undated, folder: folder “Birthdays (Residence Staff),” box 29, Betty Ford White House Papers, Gerald R. Ford Library, https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/sites/default/files/pdf_documents/library/document/0018/81556614.pdf; Walter Faupel Souser, U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards For Virginia, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 689, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2238/records/10277394. 
  2. Walter F Sauser in the 1940 United States Federal Census, Year: 1940; Census Place: Arlington, Virginia; Roll: m-t0627-04245; Page: 15B; Enumeration District: 7-19, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2442/records/16692593; Walter Souser in the 1950 United States Federal Census, National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Year: 1950; Census Place: All Places, Arlington, Virginia; Roll: 732; Page: 15; Enumeration District: 7-15, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62308/records/112600637. 
  3. White House Office of the Curator, e-mail message to author, March 16, 2026. 
  4. White House Office of the Curator, e-mail message to author, March 16, 2026. 
  5. “Walter Souser,” Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/203728677/walter-f.-souser; “Souser, Walter F.,” Washington Post, April 22, 1994, pg. D4. 
Birthplace
Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA
Burial Place
National Memorial Park
Blue markers indicate birthplaces and green markers indicate burial places. Black markers are used for places of both birth and burial.