Walter Church

1927 - 2012

Walter G. Church
June 30, 1927 - October 1, 2012
Valdese
Walter G. Church - Walter Greene Church, husband, father, brother, grandfather, banker, and public servant died Monday, October 1, at his residence. He was born June 30, 1927 in Caldwell County to Anderson Mitchell (A.M.) Church and Rosa Dell Triplett Church. Walter was the youngest of five children and graduated from Valdese High School, also attended Amherst College and the University of Wisconsin. He enlisted in the US Army where he spent 10 years including duties in Japan and Korea. After his military service, he returned to Valdese where he married Verta Jean Burns of Hildebran. Soon thereafter, his banking career began in Florida at the Tallahassee Bank & Trust Company. He later transferred back to his hometown of Valdese to manage the First National Bank and soon thereafter, Valdese Savings & Loan Association (Western Carolina Savings & Loan) in 1972. He rose to the level of President and Chief Executive Officer and guided the Bank during a period of explosive growth and profitability. Western Carolina eventually became BB&T. Walter was appointed to fill the legislative seat of his friend, the late Ray Fletcher in 1992. Representative Church diligently served the citizens of Burke County for 16 years in Raleigh, being a strong advocate for Lake James State Park, Broughton Hospital, North Carolina School for the Deaf and the J. Iverson Riddle Center. He also served as Chairman of the Financial Institutions Committee, setting the stage for North Carolina to become a national banking center. Walter was awarded the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor James B Hunt Jr. in 1985 He was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Verta Jean Burns Church, and three siblings (John Church, Ruth Church, and Fern Messer).
He is survived by his son, Walter Church, Jr. of Morganton; his daughter, Lori Church of Myrtle Beach, SC; his brother Charles Willard Church of Valdese; and his granddaughters Lauren Emily Church and Kristen Susanne Church, both of Valdese; as well as numerous nephews and nieces.
Funeral Services for Walter G. Church will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday October 4, 2012 at the Waldensian Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Dr. Kevin Fredrick officiating. Interment will follow with Military Honors by Caldwell County Veterans Honor Guard and the National Guard in the Waldensian Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
His family will receive friends from 6 until 8:00 P.M. Wednesday at Heritage Funeral Service, Valdese.
Memorials may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care Center, 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690 or The Waldensian Presbyterian Church, 109 Main St., Valdese, NC 28690
An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com
Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory is assisting the Church family.