Foundation mission

Captain Walter Green Bratton was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, neighbor, deacon, fire fighter…and trailblazer. 

Walter Green Bratton was born on November 3, 1951 in Rock Hill, South Carolina to James Lawrence and Elvenia Steele Bratton. In June 1956, the family moved to Ontario, California, when Walter was 4 years old. Walter’s parents immediately joined the Mt. Zion Baptist Church family. Walter accepted Jesus Christ at a young age and was baptized by Pastor Robert Young. His Christian faith was core to his identity and Walter was an active member of Mt. Zion until his heavenly departure.  

Growing up in Ontario, Walter attended Grove Elementary, Euclid Elementary, and De Anza Middle School. For high school, Walter attended 9th grade at Chaffey High School while the building of Ontario High School was completed. Walter was able to then finish his 10th, 11th and 12th grades at the new Ontario High School, where he played on the varsity football & baseball teams. Walter was honored to be a part of the second graduating class of Ontario High School, the class of 1970.  

During his teenage years while attending high school, Walter worked with his father in his janitorial business “JL Bratton & Company”. Walter also sky-capped along side his father at the Ontario International Airport and the John Wayne Airport in Irvine, California, earning his own money to purchase his first motorcycle, car and drum set. After graduating high school, Walter attended Chaffey College where he continued to play football, and was featured in the newspaper for a game-winning touchdown. Walter earned his AA Degree from Chaffey College. After Chaffey College, Walter pursued his pilot’s license through Cable Airport/Chino Aviation Inc. Walter was only a few hours away from receiving his aviation license when he was accepted at DeVry University in Phoenix, Arizona. At DeVry he earned a Degree in Electronics. While attending DeVry, Walter worked with UPS and met his future wife Marilyn Chase. 

In 1974, Walter returned to Ontario, California, and with prompting by his father, he went down to Ontario City Hall to fill out an application for the Ontario Fire Department. On February 2, 1975, after extensive training, Walter became the first African-American Fire Fighter hired by the Ontario Fire Department. Later that same year, his girlfriend Marilyn moved from Phoenix to Ontario. Walter & Marilyn Married in 1979. They had six children: Marlon, Marcus, Walter, Aaron, Marlindy & Ashley. 

On August 14, 1988 Walter was promoted, becoming the first African-American Fire Captain for the City of Ontario. Although he passed the test to be promoted to Battalion Chief a few years later, a battalion chief vacancy never became open to fill before his exam results expired. After 31 years with the Ontario Fire Department, Captain Walter G. Bratton retired on December 23, 2006 taking his “last ride” with full salute and honor from his Fire Station Six engine crew. After retirement, Walter voluntarily served another 15 years as a Chaplain for the Ontario Fire Department.

In 1986, Walter was the second Bratton selected to serve on the Greater Ontario Leadership Development (G.O.L.D.) Program initiated through the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. Later, Walter served with his sister on the steering committee for the GOLD Program. 

Walter kept busy and was versatile in his business endeavors. Before and during his tenure with the Fire Department, Walter managed residential property that his parents owned around Ontario for over 40 years. Other business ventures Walter was a “silent partner” in was with his sisters’ janitorial company, his sisters’ hair replacement salon in Hollywood, and his wife’s wig & hair extension business in Ontario. In addition, during “retirement” Walter earned his commercial driver’s license in order to work for his son’s trucking company driving his diesel trucks.

Walter donated and volunteered his many talents, skills, and finances for the benefit of Mt. Zion Church of Ontario, and its extended community. He played the drums for the Mt. Zion Senior Choir under Pastor Alvin J. Carter. Walter was introduced to the Bill Gothard Institute in Basic Life Principles Seminar through the Ontario Fire Department in 1977. Over the next 21 years, he repeatedly coordinated large group attendance to the seminar for his Mt. Zion Church family. He became a team teacher in the Evangelism Movement winning many souls to Christ. Furthermore, Walter and his wife Marilyn started the first video ministry at Mt. Zion under Dr. Brian Kennedy. Walter taught Sunday School, served on the Trustee Board, and had the honor of being the longest serving Deacon at Mt. Zion Church of Ontario.

Walter was an avid skier. He learned and started skiing with co-workers from the fire department. Walter later taught his children to ski, and snowboard as well. In turn, his sons taught him how to play golf. Walter loved to play the game of Dominos and engage in the interests of others. Walter especially adored all conversations around current events and debating politics. Walter knew how to balance his work life with his family obligations. Walter and his wife would take their children as they were growing up on family vacations and the major holidays were all about his family and his blessings. Throughout the years, his kids admiration for him made his Father’s Day like another Christmas and his birthday like a National Holiday. After their kids were grown, Walter and his wife became avid cruise line travelers. The biggest blessing came when his children surprised him with a family cruise to Ensenada Mexico, for his 70th and last earthly birthday. Walter  expressed his joy and thankfulness for the quality time with his family by writing a note which read: “this was my best birthday ever.”

Walter was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2018, which took his voice and limited his mobility, but not his will or sense of humor. Walter fought the good fight with this disease. In the summer of 2021 Walter was recognized by the City of Ontario as a “Community Hero.” Before his passing, Walter’s children established the Captain Walter G. Bratton Foundation. As a spiritual leader, visionary, and emergency first responder with a heart of gold, Walter himself picked his foundation’s logo and mission of giving back to local families and youth in need in the Ontario community he served his entire life. 

- Captain Walter Green Bratton passed away in Ontario on February 13th, 2022, a homegrown hero.