James Walter Horton, Sr.

James Walter Horton Sr., 92, of Wilmer, Alabama for the last 50 years, passed away Monday, May 22, 2017, at a local hospital. He was born February 6, 1925, in Sandflat, AL to the late Charlie and Etta Brown Fendley Horton. He was a US Navy Veteran serving our country during World War II aboard the USS Salt Lake City and witnessed the "raising of the American flag" at Iwo Jima. He retired from the Operating Engineer's Local 653 out of Mobile, Alabama. He was a heavy equipment operator for 65 years.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents; a son, James Walter "Jimmy" Horton, Jr.; a granddaughter, Amy Marie Finch; five sisters, Annie Betty Wilson, Carlene Phillips, Nellie Grey Neidhardt, Laura Mae Young, and June Ott; and three brothers, Warren Horton, Jesse Horton and Charles Horton.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mae Nell McRee Horton; seven children, Joetta (Gene) Finch, Larry Alan Horton, Diane (Dave) Straker, Ronny (Petra) Horton, Gary (Diana) Horton, Kim Williams, and Darla Kay (Tony) Smith; two sisters, Belle Hutto and Geneva Lyons; fifteen grandchildren; twenty-six great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins & other relatives.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, May 27, 2017, at 12:30 p.m. at Georgetown Assembly of God Church, Wilmer, AL. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until the service hour. Interment with military honors will be held in Wilmer Cemetery. Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfunerlahome-saraland.com.Arrangements by Radney Funeral Home, 1200 Industrial Parkway, Saraland, Alabama 36571.