Hughes Philip Walmsley, Jr.

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Hughes Philip Walmsley, Jr., at 78 years of age, on Tuesday, February 6, 2024. Hughes was a beloved and loyal husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hughes Philip Walmsley, Sr. and Arthemise Avrill Walmsley, and his two sisters, Arthemise Walmsley Lowrance and Miriam Walmsley Cooper.

Hughes is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Diane Magette Walmsley, and his three sons, Hughes Philip Walmsley, III, William Madoc Walmsley and daughter-in-law, Lori Medley Walmsley, and Thomas Semmes Walmsley and daughter-in-law, Kathryn Del Guercio Walmsley. He was blessed with six grandchildren, Alexander Pierce Walmsley, Stella Elena Walmsley, William Madoc Walmsley, II, Thomas Nicholas Semmes Walmsley, Barrett Baker Atwood, and Ava Ciana Atwood. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Vivian Crowson Fowler, her husband Russell Leon Fowler, and a large circle of extended family and friends.

Hughes was born on August 24, 1945, in New Orleans, Louisiana and was a graduate of Jesuit High School and Tulane University. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve. Hughes’ career in insurance spanned over 50 years; he was the President and CEO of Hughes Walmsley & Company, Inc., which was founded by his father in 1939. He served as President of the New Orleans Country Club in 2014 and was a member of the Louisiana Club, Boston Club, Stratford Club, and many Carnival organizations that he revered and have been important to generations of his family. His passions were playing golf, boating on Lake Glenville, holding court at the Table of Knowledge, and playing gin rummy. He set the bar high in gin and was known for his humor, wit, love of sports, and incredibly sharp memory. Hughes took immense pride in attending every sporting event for his sons and spending time with his beloved Labs. When he wasn’t playing golf on the weekends, he was throwing a ball in the pool for the dogs with a Bloody Mary in hand. Hughes will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Hughes’ life at the New Orleans Country Club, 5024 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Thursday, February 22, 2024 from 4:00PM until 6:00PM.

To view and sign the online guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com