Walter Gillican Chamberlain
April 8, 1946 - November 20, 2013
Bay St. Louis
Walter G. Chamberlain, of Bay St. Louis, MS passed away peacefully in his home on November 20, 2013. Walter was a lifelong resident of Bay St. Louis, MS and New Orleans, LA. He was a 1964 graduate of St. Martin High School of New Orleans and LSUNO. Prior to completing college, he served in the US Navy on the USS Osbourne in Vietnam.
Walter was a renowned jazz musician, playing tenor banjo in traditional New Orleans jazz bands. His career began in the jazz clubs on Bourbon Street, notably the Red Garder and Your Father's Mustache and continued as a long time member of The Last Straws.
Walter also spent his life around the world of sailboat racing. He grew up racing along the Gulf Coast and Lake Ponthartrain and was a member of the Bay Waveland Yacht Club's first championship teams for the Jr. and Sr. Lipton's in 1963. He went on to become a local and national authority in race administration and racing rules. He was a former Commodore of BWYC and the Gulf Yachting Association and was active in US Sailing. His contributions to these sailing organizations were impactful and far reaching.
Walter is survived by his wife of 44 years, Malin Davis; his two sons, Walter Gillican Chamberlain Jr and Christopher Blount Chamberlain; his daughter's-in-law, Victoria and Jennifer; his granddaughter Madeline Chamberlain; his brother Donald Liverman Chamberlain, Jr; his sister Margaret Baynard Chamberlain; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Monday, November 25, 2013, at Christ Episcopal Church in Bay St. Louis, MS. Visitation is from 11:00am to 1:00pm with services beginning at 1:00 pm.
Published in The Sun Herald on Nov. 24, 2013
