Walter Glenn McWilliams, 89, passed from this life at Falkville Health and Rehab after an extended illness on December 11, 2023. The family will receive visitors from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, December 14th at the Red Rock Church of Christ, the funeral service following at 2 p.m. Burial will be at Barton Cemetery. Brother David Conley will officiate the service. He was married to the late Betty James McWilliams for almost sixty years. Walter was the youngest son of the late Andy Lee and Ellen Foster McWilliams. He was preceded in death by his four brothers Hubert, Robert, Charles, and William; two sisters, Mary Jo Carter, and Martha Ladd; and stepmother, Nila McWilliams.
He is survived by his three children, Todd McWilliams (Michelle), Oakland, Tennessee, Ellen Thompson (Ron), Madison, Alabama, and Barry McWilliams, Tuscumbia, Alabama. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Andy McWilliams (Barry) and Leigh and Hunter McWilliams (Todd); great-grandson, Walter Casey McWilliams, (Andy & Raleigh) one brother George McWilliams, sister-in-law Mary McWilliams and stepsister, Marjorie Smith; nephew, Michael Isbell, New York City, New York; and niece, Joni Presley (Phillip), of Athens, Alabama and cousin Virginia Donaldson Parrott (Chuck) of Pass Christian, Mississippi. He is also survived by a host of special McWilliams nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. He lived in Red Rock all his life and was a lifelong member of the Red Rock Church of Christ.
Mr. McWilliams was a wonderful husband to Betty, loving Daddy to Todd, Ellen, and Barry, second father to his son-in-law, Ron, and Papa to Andy, Leigh, Hunter, and Casey. Mr. McWilliams graduated from Cherokee Vocational High School in 1954, attended Florence State University, and served nine years in the National Guard. He had an exemplary work ethic which began as he helped his family in the McWilliams Pure Milk Company. He milked cows before school and helped deliver milk in bottles with his brothers until the family business closed in 1958. After he and Betty married in 1957, they ran a dairy business until 1972, while also raising cotton, soybeans, corn, and wheat. He worked at Ford Motor Company from 1957 until 1983 and at Delphi from 1985 until 2005 with almost 50 years in the automotive industry. He loved his church, family, and Alabama football and was a true American patriot. Mr. McWilliams and his wife, Betty, enjoyed traveling but loved being with family most of all. He was a caretaker of the family farm and valued hard work, determination, and the ability to see the fruit of his labors. The family motto was, “Word hard, play hard.” He loved to share family stories and will be remembered for his great laugh, love of music, big hugs, and words of wisdom.
Pallbearers will be Michael Isbell, John Lee McWilliams, Chris McWilliams, Mike McWilliams, Greg McWilliams, Don McWilliams, Bob Carter, Andy McWilliams, Hunter McWilliams and Johnny Grissom. Honorary pallbearer Nancy Hughes.
The family offers special thanks and appreciation to the caregivers and nurses at Falkville Health and Rehab who treated Dad with respect and loved him like their own Pawpaw. The family would like to thank Affinity Hospice Care of Cullman for their kindness and professionalism.
Memorials may be made to the Red Rock Church of Christ (1845 Red Rock Road, Tuscumbia, AL 35674), Barton Cemetery Fund (P.O. Box 506, Cherokee, AL 35616), or charity of choice.
