Rev. Andy C. Walton Sr.

Columbiana

Rev. Andy C. Walton Sr. (Boo Boo), age 90, of Columbiana, was welcomed home by his Lord on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Jan. 16, at Bolton Funeral Home of Columbiana with grandsons Rev. Lee Walton and Rev. Darrell Sammons presiding. Burial will follow in Pinelawn Gardens. The family will receive friends on Jan. 15 from 6-8 p.m.

He is preceded in death by the love of his life, and loving wife of 54 years, Lexie Mae Horton Walton; daughter, Sharon Walton; grandson, Jeremy Livingston; parents, Walter D. Walton and Mattie Cooper Walton; brother, Walter H. Walton; and sisters, Dorothy Kemp and Earline Davis.

Rev. Walton is survived by his wife, Thelma; children, Andy Walton Jr. (Linda), Frances Sammons (Bobby) and Danny Walton; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; brothers, Gary Walton, Kenneth Walton and Wade Walton; sisters, Robbie Horton, Sue Shaw and Nancy Brasher; numerous nephews and nieces; and a myriad of extended family and friends.

Rev. Walton retired as a welder from the Pullman Standard Co. in Bessemer. While he worked at the Pullman over night, he operated his own logging and pulpwood business during the day. However, Rev. Walton will best be remembered as a loving and compassionate Baptist Minister. Rev. Walton was simply known by many in Bibb, Chilton, Jefferson and Shelby Counties as Bro. Andy. In his 46-year ministry, Bro. Andy served seven churches as pastor and had a weekly radio program, The Open Door Broadcast, on WBYE 1370 Calera and WGTT 1500 Alabaster for many years. Bro. Andy mentored numerous young ministers over the years as they began and developed their ministries and was a favorite of many local pastors for revivals and guest speaking engagements.

Bro. Andy was proud to have served his country during World War II. He was inducted at Fort McClellan in March of 1943 and was assigned to Co. “B” 865th Engineer (Aviation) Battalion. Upon completion of basic training as well as “Engineering and Construction Emergency Airstrips,” he departed Oakland, Calif., on the troopship “Cape Mears” and arrived at Townsville, Australia in November of 1943. He participated in two major island campaigns in New Guinea and the Philippine Islands. While in New Guinea, he was privileged to attend a USO show featuring John Wayne and was discharged at Camp Shelby, Miss., in January of 1946. Not much was ever said about his experience in service to our country, the memories of that time in his life were simply too overwhelming to share.

Before his capabilities became compromised, he was able to tour and eventually become a resident of the Colonel Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home in Pell City, stating that he would like to stay with the other soldiers.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of the Veterans Home, AlaCare and to those who have been able to share, over the years, in the life of their beloved patriarch.

Please sign online condolences at Boltonfuneralhome.com. Bolton Funeral Home of Columbiana is directing.