WALTER RAY "WALT" SHELNUTT's Obituary
BYRON, GA –
Walter Ray Shelnutt passed away unexpectedly late Saturday night, February 15, 2025, just shy of his 81st birthday. He was a man of steady faith and quiet generosity.
Services will be held on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. The family will receive friends from 1:00- 1:45 p.m. at Watson-Hunt Funeral Home in Perry, Georgia. A Graveside Service will follow at Perry Memorial Gardens at 2:00 p.m.
Walter was born February 17, 1944 in Tallapoosa, Georgia to the late Gladys and Charlie Shelnutt. He was one of ten children. Walt grew up helping his parents and siblings on the farm. He was a graduate of Byron High School (Class of 1962) and retired after forty plus years from Liberty National Life Insurance, Birmingham, Alabama, where he started as an entry level employee, sorting mail in the mail room, and, through his faithful, commendable work ethic, rose to a leadership position as a department manager.
Walt enjoyed yard work, watching the rain from his lawn chair in the garage, collecting baseball paraphernalia, and especially long walks with friends with his trusty walking stick in hand. He was a man of few words, who expressed himself through countless, daily acts of service. Walt was a faithful husband, a loving father, and the truest of friends. He loved a good story and a corny joke, especially when he had the chance to repeat them.
Walt is preceded in death by his wife of forty years, Kay Peacock Shelnutt, as well as his wife of four years, Ouida Giles Shelnutt; his siblings, Horace Shelnutt, Lloyd Shelnutt, Lewis Shelnutt, Lucious Shelnutt, Roy Shelnutt, Burnell Shelnutt, Vesta Shelnutt, and Zettie Shelnutt Stewart; and his son-in-law, Steve O’Hara.
Walt’s loved ones who remain to cherish his life and legacy are his childhood friend and wife of just over one year, Mary Shipman Shelnutt, of Byron; his children, Tammy O’Hara of Florissant, Missouri, and Rev. Jeff Shelnutt (Alice) of Macon, Mississippi; his stepchildren, Anne Bowden (Paul) of Hope Hull, Alabama, and Clint Shipman (Ellen) of Byron, Georgia; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; his sister, Alice Miles of Twiggs County, Georgia; his niece, Ann Nix (Daniel) of Traveler’s Rest, South Carolina; and many other nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Walt’s spirit lives on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him. He has traded earthly toil for eternal rest and now resides in the loving embrace of his Savior.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions to: Dayspring Mission, P. O. Box 386, Macon, Mississippi 39341 and Southern Pup, P. O. Box 71, Macon, Mississippi 39341
Condolences for the family may be left in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com. Watson-Hunt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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