Walter Louis Walker, Jr.

Walter Louis Walker, Jr., 72, passed away at his home in Fayetteville, TN, following a lengthy illness. He was born in Brownsville, TN to Louis and Coleen Walker. He attended Anderson Grammar School and Haywood High School, where he was a member of the 1969 State Championship Tomcats Football Team. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin, and later a master’s degree in communications from the University of Central Florida. Although he did not live in Brownsville after high school, he remained a part of the community through the Taylors of Tabernacle Camp Meeting.

Walter dedicated his life to Christ at the age of 16 and lived a life of faith and service for the rest of his days. While at UT Martin, he joined Maranatha Campus Ministries and remained in leadership for many years following college. His heart for biblical teaching and discipleship led him to serve at various college campuses.

He met Linda Lewis of Paducah, KY and they married on November 27, 1976. Walter loved Linda wholeheartedly. They raised their family in Altamonte Springs, FL, before settling in Franklin, TN in 2006 to continue his writing career with Every Nation Ministries. A self-described “former campus minister, amateur theologian, and professional storyteller,” Walt could be found in deep conversations at coffee shops around Tennessee with friends or strangers bragging about his grandchildren or discussing writing projects.

From the time he was a teenager, he had a gift for teaching, coaching, and mentorship. As a devoted family man, he loved what his family loved, supporting them in whatever they did, including serving as a tennis and archery coach, homeschool teacher, fisherman, fort builder, and constant proud granddad. For one last adventure, he recently built a home on his daughter Jennie’s family land in Fayetteville, TN, where he passed away surrounded by family. He will be dearly missed and always remembered.

He leaves his wife, Linda Lewis Walker, of 48 years, their three children, Anna Walker Wood (Jeff), Jennie Walker Falletti (Jim), and John Wesley Walker (Natalie), his sister, Kate Walker, and eleven grandchildren: Heath Wood, Madalyn Falletti, Lauren Wood, Abagail Falletti, Nate Wood, James Falletti, Clara Falletti, William Wood, Hazel Walker, Jude Walker, and Carter Walker.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 2:00 PM, at the Tabernacle Methodist Church with John Walker officiating, with burial to follow in the Tabernacle Methodist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to point friends to the good work of Beyond Uganda or Mercy Ships. All arrangements and services are under the direction of the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home.