Gary Wayne Walker

Gary Wayne Walker, age 67, of Waverly, Alabama, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 8, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services for Gary will be held on Friday, September 12, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at United Fellowship Church in Alexandria. Rev. Gary Cardwell and Rev. Chris Clay will be officiating the service. The family will receive friends at the church from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service.

Burial will follow services in United Fellowship Cemetery.

There will be an additional service celebrating Gary's life held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Church (2123 Hamilton Road, Auburn, AL 36830) officiated by Rev. Bill King, Rev. Randy Hemphill, and Rev. Matt Mobley. All are invited to attend.

Born on December 31, 1957, Gary brought warmth, kindness, and strength to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Catherine (Cathy) Walker; his children, Christin Walker Bancroft (David) and Matthew Steven Walker (fiancée, Allison Harlan); and his treasured grandchildren, Walker Bradford Bancroft and Kennedy Catherine Bancroft. Gary is also survived by his brother, Michael Walker (Beverly) and his sister, Marcia Norris (Tim). He was preceded in death by his parents, Steven and Joan Walker.

Gary Walker married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Cathy, in July of 1979. Though it took some years of being dragged to church, Gary was saved in 1978 at Leatherwood Baptist Church and took up his cross for Jesus at 21 years of age. He loved his daughter, Christin, and son, Matt, unconditionally. He was a devoted family member to his in-laws, his grandchildren, his son-in-law, his future daughter-in-law, his brother and sister, nieces, cousins, and friends. He is reunited in heaven with his parents as well as he and Cathy's baby that met Jesus before an earthly birth.

He had simple joys: Western movies, John Wayne, banana pudding, and an absolute refusal to touch green beans. But his truest passions were his Bible, his family, and building.

Gary loved to build.

A carpenter by trade, he built countless homes, office buildings, churches, arenas, and whatever else was needed with his company, Valley Construction. He served faithfully in his church as a deacon for many years. In 1995, he answered God's call to preach and graduated from Covington Theological Seminary with a doctorate in divinity. Gary pastored several churches in Calhoun and Etowah Counties before he planted the Cowboy Church of Lee County in Auburn, Alabama in 2010. As a lifelong Alabama fan, living in Auburn was probably not always on his radar, but the promise of grandchildren can change a person no matter the locale.

He volunteered for Carpenters for Christ for many years until 2024 and made sure to take his grandson along on more than one occasion so he could experience what it was like to serve others on a mission. He even lived in his camper for six months (much to his wife's chagrin) in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to coordinate volunteers to help rebuild local churches that were affected.

Gary was a no frills kind of carpenter. Everything he built was solid, sturdy, and durable. It might not have been "fancy", but it was going to stand the test of time. That is also how he lived his life. His relationships were built to last. Gary would do anything for anybody, at any time, and was the most generous of people even when he himself didn't have very much to give. It always worked out, somehow.

Without a doubt, the most important thing he ever built was for the kingdom of God, soul by precious soul, and he dutifully served until the end of his life. Much like his buildings, each sermon was prayed over and sturdily built. He would stand on street corners and go door to door (in some less than desirable places) to share about what God had done for him and what God could do for you. There is no doubt that he is in Heaven rejoicing with the angels and - perhaps - looking for a hammer and some nails.

To Matt and Allie: He would have wanted so much to be there for your wedding and to see you united in marriage. As your earthly father, his love and blessing was apparent. God will ensure that his presence and spirit are with you on November 8, 2025. Dad is too stubborn to not be there, you know.

There are pieces of Gary's influence everywhere we look. In our communities, in our homes and backyards, but especially in our hearts. There wasn't a day that went by that he didn't praise God for his new life found in salvation. Until we see him again, let us take up the cross he so faithfully carried and continue the fight for each and every soul to know the love of Jesus. That's what he would want.

His favorite verse, Philippians 4:13, reminds us of the source of his strength: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." It will be hard, but we will find a way to go on living lives that would make you proud.

Rest easy now Daddy, and don't get too carried away building mansions up in glory, though if anyone could do it, it would be you. We love you and we will see you again soon. What a day, a glorious day, that will be.

Flowers will be accepted, or donations may be made to Carpenters for Christ, 901 28th Street, Phenix City, AL 36867, (ATTN: Jim Combs), checks payable to "Carpenters for Christ".