Walter Roote Wilson was born in Blountsville, Alabama on December 20, 1928 at home and he would become the second youngest of 11 siblings. He met the love of his life, “Linda” Sieglinde Franziska Boeck, when he was stationed in Germany as a Sergeant in the United States Army.
They lived in Alabama in the cities of Mobile, Birmingham, Axis, Demopolis, Madison and Huntsville. Their only child, Michelle Corina Wilson Gantt, was born in 1966 in Mobile. The relationship between Michelle and her father was unmatched by any other. His relationship with Christ is what impacted Michelle most. He exhibited meekness and humility by holding her hair back whenever she was sick. He ingrained in her the importance of reading the Bible and praying every night by doing so with her from the time she was born. One of Michelle’s fondest memories of her father was when he told her, “Don’t you know, you are the pride of my life.”
Walter loved his country, his family and his God. Walter’s word was his oath and his inner strength came from God alone.
Walter served as Deacon, Sunday School Director and Treasurer at Providence Baptist Church and Fairhaven Baptist Church for more than 30 years.
Walter loved to ride horses, he had three horses and three ponies. He and Michelle often enjoyed riding together. An outdoorsman, he greatly enjoyed going fishing, building ponds, waterfalls, bridges, and bird houses, splitting wood for fires. One of his favorite past times was watching Lawrence Welk and the Gaithers. He was a clerk, accountant, store house manager and worked for Alabama Power Company at the Barry Steam Plant in Mobile and Green County Steam Plant for 43 years and 9 months before retiring at age 62.
He was present at his grandchildren’s birth and immediately became very involved in their lives. He made a rope swing, tire swing and a sling shot for them. He played dress up with the girls, cards, Operation(TM) game, repaired and rode bikes with them. He loved playing ball with all his grandchildren. He turned his horse barn into a fort, taught them how to swim, cut grass, put air in tires, drive, ride a bike and how to use a bow and arrow. He would even create targets with hay bales he stacked himself. He loved helping them with their homework - especially math and reading - but most of all he taught them about Jesus. His grandchildren grew up with a model of a righteous man. They knew that he prayed for them every night and, because of James 5:16, they knew his prayers were “powerful and effective."
Walter was known for his beautiful smile and mischievous eyes. He was the perfect example of “good fun.” He provided comfort and stability for his family, and later his grandchildren. He was a prime example of what a good man should act like to his daughter, grandchildren, and wife.
Walter went to home to heaven on Saturday, July 14. He was preceded in death by his wife, “Linda” Sieglinde Franziska Boeck, his parents and nine siblings. He is survived by his daughter, Michelle Corina Wilson (Dr. Rod) Gantt; Grandchildren: Justin Michael (Helen Medline) Gantt, Walter Luke Gantt, Raegan Micaela Gantt, Anna Elise Gantt, and Linde Kathleen Gantt; one brother, Glenn Oliver Wilson; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
A Life Celebration Service is scheduled for Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at Whitesburg Baptist Church south campus chapel at 12:00pm with family receiving guests at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family would like donations sent to Whitesburg Baptist Church Global Missions or Music Ministries, 6806 Whitesburg Drive, Huntsville, AL 35802.
