On the morning of October 11, 2021, Wayne Pickett Walton passed away peacefully at his home. Wayne grew up in Birmingham – attended grammar school at Central Park, graduated from Ensley High School, and earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University in 1956. He married his sweetheart, Jacqueline Fay Brill, in 1957 and served as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army – stationed in New York City. After serving in the Army, Wayne and Jackie moved back home to Birmingham and started raising a family. Wayne became a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Alabama, and had a fulfilling career with the Southern Company Services, where he helped design control systems for nuclear power plants.
Wayne was an active member of the Bluff Park United Methodist Church since 1966. He dearly enjoyed taking his family to church, participating in his Sunday School Group, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, and on mission trips throughout the Southeast and as far away as Chile. Wayne loved to build things and to take good care of them. He was a skilled carpenter, mechanic and craftsman. If Wayne built something, you knew it would last – and there was never a machine, car, or tool that he could not fix. Wayne loved a good round of golf and retired early, but he didn’t slow down. He was a member of the Birmingham Section of The American Society of Mechanical Engineering. Wayne was a very involved member of the The Energizers – Southern Company Services, Retirees, as well as the Birmingham Aero Club and enjoyed keeping up with the Central Park Boys. He took Jackie on trips all over Europe, South America and even Egypt and the Holy Land. Above all, Wayne loved his family and spending time with them. He led countless family trips to the Great Smoky Mountains for tent camping. Wayne hiked almost all of the trails in the park with Jackie and their girls. He also loved traveling to see his daughters and their families in Texas, Tennessee and Alaska. He never missed a family reunion, a wedding, or graduation of his children and grandchildren. Always a sport, Wayne loved golfing with his sons in law, would take the family sailing at the gulf, and even deep sea fishing in Alaska.
Wayne is preceded in passing by his daughter Yevonne Bowman and his parents Mae and Pickett Walton. He is survived by his wife Jacqueline Walton; daughters Karen Barrett and Amanda Banker, sons-in-law Lynn Barrett and Anthony Banker; grandchildren Jason Barrett (Pamela), Jonathan Bowman (Holly), Jacob Barrett (Chloe), Emory Banker, Henry Banker and Ella Banker; and great grandchildren Haley and Brooke Barrett, and Camdyn and Mallory Bowman. The family appreciates all floral tributes, but suggests that donations be made in Mr. Walton’s memory to Bluff Park UMC.
A visitation will be held on Monday, October 18, 2021 at 2 pm at Bluff Park UMC with services to follow at 3 pm. Burial will be at Valhalla Cemetery.
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