Walter Soefker

Memphis - Walter "Buddy" Albert Soefker, III, age 83, passed away peacefully at home on May 3, 2025, after a long illness.

Buddy was born in Memphis, TN on March 4, 1942, to Walter Albert "Bud", Jr., and Era Carter Soefker.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 62 years, Gail Ann Fly Soefker; sister Linda Soefker Bradshaw (Mike); 5 children - Stacy Soefker Norton, Darby Soefker Grisanti (Frank), Brett Alan Soefker (Gianna), Walter Shane Soefker (Jana), and Curt Reid Soefker (Dena); 16 grandchildren - Natalie Norton Jordan (Parker), William Jackson Norton, Bradley Harvey Grisanti (Annie), Lindsay Ann Grisanti, Grayson Arthur Grisanti (Maggie), Walker Tate Grisanti (Haley), Mary Anne Soefker, John Paul Soefker, Jude Matthew Soefker, Abigail Soefker Smith (Nathan), Walter Shane Soefker Jr., Mia Frances Soefker, Paulina Leigh Soefker, Emma Nicole Soefker, Ethan Reid Soefker, Elizabeth Jane Soefker; and 4 great grandchildren (with one on the way) - Florence Anne Jordan, Nathaniel Louis Smith, Ryan Arthur Grisanti, Walker Tate Grisanti Jr.

Buddy lived a truly wonderful life. He was a natural born athlete who always seemed larger than life - so large in fact that his mother had to carry his birth certificate at all times to prove he was in the right age group for all his sports teams. He met the love of his life, Gail Ann Fly, at the early age of 11 while in the 6th grade at St. Anne's Highland and never let her go (except for when she dropped him briefly in 10th grade, which he may never have recovered from). Completely dedicated to her from the beginning, young Buddy would often ride his horse, Danny Boy, all the way from Germantown down what is now Park Ave. to Perkins Terrace just to see Gail.

After St. Anne's, he followed in his father's footsteps and attended Christian Brothers High School where he excelled in all sports. He was the only athlete in CBHS history to letter in all 16 sports (while also playing the accordion, a nod to his lifelong love of music).

While still in high school, Buddy was drafted to play major league baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals along with the late Tim McCarver. In addition, he was heavily recruited for his football skills. Football and the promise of a college degree won out, and he signed a scholarship to play football for the LSU tigers. A star on both sides of the ball, Buddy played running back on offense and defensive back on the famous Chinese Bandit defense. He was also an excellent student academically, obtaining a degree in mechanical engineering from LSU.

But his engineering career would have to wait. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams, married Gail, and headed for the west coast. After playing for the Rams, he and Gail came back to Memphis where Buddy joined his father and grandfather in the family engineering

business, W.A. Soefker & Son, Inc. He went on to grow and lead that company into becoming a highly successful regional mechanical contracting business. Buddy and Gail devoted themselves to their five children, supporting and encouraging them in all their many activities. He also gave back to the community by volunteering his services on various boards and organizations, such as the Fed Ex St Jude Golf Tournament, St. Agnes and CBHS schools, and teaching Catholic confirmation classes.

But his family was always his primary focus. He loved when all the family was together, especially on trips to the family lake house at Greers Ferry, ski trips, and annual beach vacations (in spite of his real dislike for sand). What was always most important to him was that his family was together.

He loved his family and took such good care of us always. He prided himself on being the "Fixer" for all problems big and small. Of all his many accomplishments, family was the most important one to him. He loved us all so well, especially his lifelong sweetheart, Gail. They were always together holding hands and showing us all what true love means.

His final years were hard and with much suffering, but it did give all of his family and friends a chance to return the favor and take care of him for a change. And we are forever grateful for his wonderfully compassionate and loving caretakers, especially Vivian, Jenn and O'Shannon.

Pop, you set the best example that character matters, family is everything, and love is everlasting. We know that you are watching over us all and hope you are getting the perfect 18 holes in too!

Exxxxxxxxxxaaactly!!!

Services for Walter will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at St. Louis Catholic Church. Visitation from 8:30am to 9:30am in the Clunan Center, Rosary at 9:30am and Funeral Mass at 10:00am. Entombment at Memorial Park Mausoleum will be held privately.