Obituaries for Sept. 8, 2017
Published 12:00 am Friday, September 8, 2017
WILLIAM THOMAS CHAPMAN II
Mr. William Thomas Chapman II “Tommy”, age 67 of Evergreen AL. passed away Tuesday, September 5, 2017.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, September 8, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church of Evergreen AL. Rev. Wayne McMillan and Rev. Bill Messer will officiate. Interment will follow in the Magnolia Cemetery next to his son William Thomas Chapman III “Chip”. The family will receive friends at 10 a.m. at the church. Cope Keahey Funeral Home will be directing.
Survivors include his wife: Patsy Chapman of Evergreen; son, Andrew Scott (Jennifer) Chapman of Birmingham; brother, Terry (Celie) Chapman of Monroeville; grandchildren, Grayson Chapman and Archer Chapman; nephews, Richard Chapman of Birmingham, and Nick Chapman of Andalusia; nieces: Anna Catherine Chapman of Auburn.
Mr. Chapman was preceded in death by his parents, William Richard and Maggie Rabren Chapman and his son, William Thomas Chapman III (Chip)
Tommy was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to many. He was an avid golfer. He practiced law in Evergreen AL. and loved being surrounded by his friends on the Evergreen Country Club golf course. He loved the University of Alabama and loved anything to do with the Crimson Tide. Tommy enjoyed spending time with his two grandsons Grayson and Archer Chapman. In Tommy’s younger years he enjoyed many trips with family and friends.
In his professional career Tommy served as Chairman of Industrial Development Board of Evergreen, District Judge of Evergreen 35th Judicial Circuit, Active Bar Commissioner for the 35th Judicial District, District Attorney for 22 years, President of Democratic Party and was the District Attorney of the year in 2008.
Mr. Chapman served in every position on the Alabama District Attorneys Association (ADAA) executive committee over the period of 18 continuous years – working tirelessly to promote the interest of prosecutors, victims and the citizens of the state of Alabama from 1993 – 1994, Member-at-large; 1994 – 1995, Secretary-Treasurer; 1995 – 1996, Vice President; 1996 – 1997, President; 1997 – 1998, Immediate Past President; 1998 – 2010, Member-at-large; 2010 – 2011, National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) Board Representative.
Serving as active pallbearers: Steve Windham, Steve Wadlington, James Tait, Danny Beard, Keith McIntyre, John Smith, Lee Talbot and the honorable Jeffery T. Brock “Jeff.”
Twenty-six honorary pallbearers including Conecuh Monroe County Bar, Sheriff Randy Brock, former district attorney investigator Kenny Ausby and State of Alabama Auditor Jim Zeigler.
ARIEL MAXWELL WALKER
Ariel Maxwell Walker, 77, of Red Level, passed away Thurs., Sept. 7, in a Pensacola, Fla., hospital following a short battle with pulmonary fibrosis.
Mr. Walker was a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, serving from 1958 – 1962. After serving as vice president of Covington County Bank, he and his family owned and operated Walker Paint and Decorating in Andalusia. Mr. Walker worked for a division of the Ford Motor Company in Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., as CFO before retiring to Red Level.
His parents, Max and Nell Walker of Andalusia, preceded him in death.
Mr. Walker is survived by his wife of nearly 55 years, Gloria Johns Walker; his brother, David (LaVerne) Walker of Morganton, Ga.; sister, Jenny Kervin (Ken Leitch) of Dothan; a son, Jim (Lynn) Walker of Andalusia; a daughter, Jill (Chris) Steward of Daphne, Ala.; four grandchildren, Kasey (Martha) King of Newnan, Ga.; Josh (Ellie) King of Enterprise, Ala.; Emily Walker of Mobile, Ala., and Ellis Walker of Andalusia; and three great-grandchildren, Jak and Charlie Mae King, Sarah Chapel King.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. at River Falls Baptist Church with the Rev. Barry Wilkinson and the Rev. Jim Walker officiating. The family will welcome family and friends 30 minutes prior to the service.