Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
About
FUNERAL HOME
Walter Potts Obituary
WALTER POTTS
LIMA — Mr. Walter C. Potts, age 89, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at approximately 8:05 p.m. at his residence in Lima.
He was born on January 4, 1926 in Mann, West Virginia to the union of James Cornelius and Odessa Crystal Harris Potts; both parents preceded him in death.
On December 27, 1946 he was united in holy matrimony to Grace A. Ward, she preceded him in death on August 14, 2014.
Mr. Potts was the first Black Electrical Engineering Employee at the B. P. Oil Lima Refinery; he was also the First Black Electrical Contractor to work in the City of Lima. He also was a Private Business Owner of Potts Electric Service.
Mr. Potts was a member of St. John Catholic Church and a member of the Black Lay Catholics. He attended Tuskegee Institute and graduated from Ohio Northern University. He was a Retired Master Chief from the United States Navy, World War II Veteran, member of Better Business Bureau, member of the Civil Service Board for many years, Elks Club Member – 1st Black Member - Broke Color Barrier and was on the Board of Governors at the Better Business Bureau.
Mr. Potts was a Social and Community Leader he was a Lifetime Member of NAACP, served as a Lima City Councilman and on the AmeriCom Bank Board of Directors. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and had served as the Executive Director of Bradfield Center where he was a member for over 70 years. He was a member of the Allen County Board of Trustees and was a member of the Shawnee Country Club. He was the first Recipient of the Allen County Visionaries Citizen of the Year, he was awarded the Liberty Bell Award from the Allen County Bar Association and he was the recipient of the Toledo Diocese Martin Luther King Drum Major Award.
He leaves to cherish his precious memory 3 sons; Gary A. Potts Sr. and Donald Potts both of Lima and Michael W. Potts of Haymarket, VA. 3 daughters; Elaine C. Potts and Michele K. Potts both of Lima. Diane L. Hampton (William) of Atlanta, Georgia. A special Daughter; Jeanette West of Fremont, Ohio. 10 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and a host of great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his daughter; Marcia Potts.
Services will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church with Father David Ross, officiating.
Visitation/wake services will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at Jones-Clark Funeral Home, Inc. 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Military Honors provided by: V.F.W. Post # 1275.
Services Entrusted to: JONES-CLARK FUNERAL HOME, INC.
Condolences can be made at: Jonesclarkfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Walter Potts
May 22, 2015
Walter went to our Church/ and my Father Ralph Wrasman always spoke fondly of Walter as his friend/Dad also worked at the Lima Refinery/Our prayers & sympathy to the Potts Family
May 22, 2015
Walter went to St. Johns Church and was friends with my Father Ralph Wrasman who was a also worked at the refinery and Dad always spoke of Walter as his good friend. Our sympathy to all your family /The Wrasmans
HENRY BRATTON
May 22, 2015
I am glad I got a chance to meet you cousin. Thanks for the stories about my dad too.
When you see him give him a hug for me..Henry III
May 22, 2015
My condolences to Walter's family. He was so special to Lima and especially to my family. Ed Daley South Lake Tahoe, CA
May 21, 2015
My prayers are with you at this time of your lost.
I will never forget Mr. Potts as he was a true leader and man of faith.
Fr. Robert Seay, ofm
Lafayette, LA
Sam and Odessa Brown
May 20, 2015
We remember Mr. Potts as strong but, gentle man. He carried himself in a manner that demanded respect yet, his warm smile made you feel at ease. He was a great family man and leader in the Lima community. He will be missed. May God comfort and strengthen the Potts family.
CORA IRONS/INGRAM
May 18, 2015
My condolences and prayers to the Potts Family.
Jim Morlock
May 18, 2015
To my friend Mr.Potts you will be greatly missed by our family. I will never forget our times together.
leron tibbs
May 18, 2015
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Sharon Turner
May 18, 2015
My condolences to the Potts Family. He will greatly be missed in the Lima community. My prayers are with you. Rest in peace, Mr. Potts.
Louis Hughes, Jr.
May 18, 2015
I have know Walter and his Family for 50 years. 1ST Afr. Am office worker at Westinghouse over 50ty yrs. ago. Great Navy vet., Frontiersman, church member, mentor, small businessman, leader and friend. Rest in peace may your spirit live on for many generations to come. God bless your family and the Lima, OH . I will miss you wise friend and your leadership.
Albert Price
May 18, 2015
I had the great pleasure of meeting Mr. Potts a half century ago when employed in Lima, Ohio briefly at the old Westinghouse plant. I found him to be someone very special there in Lima. He was respected very highly for both his professional and civic responsibilities. And I wish his family to know that I share this awful experience.
May 18, 2015
My sympathy to the Potts family. Renae Thompson
April Conway
May 18, 2015
I never met Mr. Potts but feel as if I have known him my entire life. Walter worked with my uncle, Don Hofmann, at Standard Oil. Uncle Don shared great stories with me about Walter. Each time we would drive by the Potts' home we would say Hello Walter Potts! Recently I found some photos of the two of them taken when they worked at Standard Oil. I emailed copies to Mr. Potts and hope seeing the pictures made him smile just like knowing him through Uncle Don's stories make me smile. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
april conway
May 18, 2015
Jerry Courtney
May 17, 2015
My life was blessed to have known Walter. My thoughts and prayers are with the Potts family. I was proud to call him my friend and mentor.
Paul Penn
May 17, 2015
Having spent 35 years teaching and coaching at South Junior High School,I was priviledged and honored to know Mr. Potts.
I can honestly say I have never known a finer man.Rest in peace Mr. Potts I'm sure the Good Lord has already reserved your special place in Heaven.
Paul Penn
Joice Williams
May 17, 2015
My condolences to the family,my gratitude and thanks for his faithful service to us all!
BRENDA STEWARD
May 17, 2015
My condolences to the Potts Family
Mike Bender
May 17, 2015
Served on the Lima Civil Service Board with him and he was a wonderful person.!
Theresa Wright
May 16, 2015
My heart goes out to you at this time and in the days ahead.
May 16, 2015
So sorry to hear about Walter. He was such a great friend at the refinery when I was there and a great leader in the community. He will be sadly missed.
Patti Keller
Centerville OH
Ann Dillinger
May 16, 2015
I remember your Dad coming to our house in Ottawa in the late 50's. Probably re/ retreats as they were a priority for my Dad. He came to my Dad's funeral in 1971. A black man in Putnam County was not the norm . My Dad reached out to all, the same as Walter did. Must have been what they had in common. Sad to hear of his passing. Ann Stechschulte Dillinger
Grace Breaston
May 16, 2015
Our prayers are with you all. He will truly be missed in this community as he did so much for it. He is now resting. God bless you all.
Derwin
May 15, 2015
Rest in peace Mr Potts
Linda Irons
May 15, 2015
My condolences to the family. Rest-In-Heaven Mr. Potts.
Showing 1 - 27 of 27 results
Make a Donation
in Walter Potts's name
Memorial Events
for Walter Potts
Funeral services provided by:
Jones-Clark Funeral Home, Inc. - Lima1302 Oakland Parkway, Lima, OH 45805
How to support Walter's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Walter Potts's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
