B. F. “Buddy” Walden passed away on Feb. 19, 2018. Visitation will be Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018, from noon until 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Sheffield. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. with Robert Shirley and Chad Holder officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Sheffield.
Buddy was born Jan. 5, 1927, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He moved with his family at the age of 12 to Sheffield, Alabama. He was married to Louise Stivener Walden for over 64 years, and they have two daughters, Cynthia Clark and Amy Holcomb. He was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Sheffield. He was a devoted husband, father, public servant, and teammate who never lost his enthusiasm for the City of Sheffield, Sheffield Bulldogs, and love of sports.
Buddy served six years as the mayor of Sheffield from 1966 to 1972 and three years as city commissioner. He also was former vice chairman of the Sheffield Housing Authority Board, former chairman of the Sheffield Community Development Board, and former member of the Sheffield Recreation Board.
He attended Sheffield High School where he played football, baseball, and ran track. In 1944, the Sheffield Bulldogs squad went undefeated and Buddy made the All Tri-Cities squad. In 1945, Buddy was president of his senior class but left in the middle of the year to serve in the United States Navy. After serving in the Navy, he entered Holmes Junior College and completed high school in addition to junior college. While at Holmes he played football, track, and baseball making the Junior College All-State Team. Also at Holmes he served as secretary-treasurer to the freshman class. Following college he worked for Reynolds Metals for 40 years retiring in 1989. He played fast-pitch softball for 27 years and pitched for Reynolds Alloys on the 1954 team that won the Alabama State Tournament. He also pitched for the Jack Gibbs team that won the Alabama State Tournament in 1964.
For many years Buddy coached youth basketball, football, and baseball teams in the Shoals and was director of the Elks Youth Hoop Shoot contest for many years. Buddy was inducted into the Colbert County Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James F. Walden and Pearl Clements Walden, and brother, James J. Walden.
He is survived by his wife, Louise Walden; daughters, Cynthia Clark (Chuck), of Florence, and Amy Holcomb (Scott), of Sheffield; and grandchildren, Charlie Clark, Stace Holcomb, Reeve Holcomb, and Elyse Holcomb.
Friends and family will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to UCP of the Shoals at 507 N. Hook St., Tuscumbia, AL 35674.
