Walker WILLINGHAM

Family-Placed Death Notice

WILLINGHAM, Walker WALKER DUNSON WILLINGHAM Walker Dunson Willingham, 89, died August 29, 2012, surrounded by family members in the home he had designed and built and where he and his wife, Claire, had raised their family. He had a boyish look that belied his age. His mild manner and quiet patience in solving problems made him an easy companion, whether he was building a garage apartment, supervising the extension his daughter's family built on his home, or teaching a young person to drive. He was a dependable friend, husband, father, and grandfather. The last time he was caught on a ladder and admonished for blowing leaves off the roof he was 85. He kept at his daily exercise routine and worked in his yard until he could do so no more. Discipline and industry defined his character. His wit was charming and his love of others tangible. He never spoke ill of another person. His gentle goodness sprang from the deep well of his Christian faith. He was devoted to his church, Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist, which he served faithfully throughout his life. He was proud that his family company, Willingham-Tift Lumber, had designed and provided the custom millwork of its interior as well as that of other Atlanta churches and buildings. Born February 25, 1923, he was a native of Atlanta, the son of William Baynard Willingham, Jr., and Edith Dunson Willingham. After graduating from Boys' High School, he went to Georgia Tech to study architecture. There he was a member of Chi Phi Fraternity and the fencing team, using both the foil and epee. During World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps and was in the Pacific to be attached to General Jimmy Doolittle's 20th Air Force (B-29 bombers) when the war ended. He remained for a year in Guam to help build the United Services Organization building. Upon returning home, he continued his studies at Tech and worked for a cousin, George Hightower, at Conditioned Air Engineers before joining Willingham-Tift Lumber Company. At the age of 31, he was elected president and treasurer of Willingham-Tift, which specialized in custom-made millwork. Sadly, the advent of mass-produced and prefabricated construction made such a company increasingly unviable. After five years, he led the company through a successful closure. He then worked for Randall Brothers for over 30 years. He became executive vice president of Narjoe Timber Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Randall Brothers. A fourth-generation member of Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, he served as chair of the Advisory Committee, a deacon and then a life deacon, chair of the Ridgecrest Cottage, and, with his wife, co-chair of the Heritage Committee. Besides helping his wife with a number of trips to Europe organized for friends, he enjoyed opera, numismatics, bridge, and work maintaining his home and yard. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Emily Claire Willingham and Augustus Dixon Adair IV of Atlanta, and son and daughter-in-law, Walker Dunson Willingham, Jr., and Molly Clawson of Seattle, Washington; sister Edith Chaffee of Atlanta and sisters-in-law Rebecca Willingham and Lois McGriff Maffett of Atlanta; and grandchildren Augustus Dixon Adair and Claire Lee Adair of Atlanta and Holden Noel Willingham of Seattle, Washington. Preceding him in death were his wife of 48 years, Claire Maffett Willingham, and his brother, William Baynard Willingham III. A memorial service will be held on September 22, 2012, at 2 pm at Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church with Dr. Charles Qualls officiating. Afterward, the family will meet friends in the fellowship hall of the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, the McAfee School of Theology of Mercer University, or a favorite school or charity. Arrangements by H. M. Patterson and Son, Arlington Chapel, (404) 851-9900.