Walter Leslis Holman, Jr. January 8, 1930 – March 22, 2015
Walter Leslie Holman, Jr., age 85, of Madison, Alabama passed away on March 22, 2015 at his home in Madison, surrounded by family and friends. He was born in Natalbany, LA on January 8, 1930 but most of his earlier years were spent in Bogalusa, LA and Mobile, AL.
He was preceded in death by his parents Walter Leslie and Minnie Lee Taylor Holman; his wife of 27 years, Sue Barbour Holman; a sister Ollie Jeanette Holman Cupstid and husband, Charles; and brother, John Archie and his beloved wife of 53 years, Millie Regan Holman; brother-in-law, Joe B. Averett; a son, Walter Phillip Holman; and daughter-in-law Lisa Ogle Holman.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 22 years, Gennie Nowlin Holman; his sister, Joyce Holman Averett; his children: Mary Lynn Holman Phleiger-Moody (Mark); Robert Leslie Holman (Wanda); Jay Russell Holman (Debbie); step-children: Joni Wilkerson Cornelison (Ronny); Regina Wilkerson Matheny (Chuck); John Sims Wilkerson (Brenda); fifteen grandchildren; one great-granddaughter and numerous nieces and nephews.
Walt was a 1950 graduate of University Military School in Mobile, AL. After serving in the U. S. Navy in Japan from 1950 to 1954, he attended Auburn University pursuing a degree in electrical engineering. He successfully wrote the State of Alabama Professional Engineering examination and worked as an electrical engineer for the Ballistic Missile Defense organizations at Redstone Arsenal until his retirement in 1990. During this time he spent a two year tour at the Kwajalein Missile Range in the Marshall Islands where he is remembered for his recording of his “Kwajalein Peculiar” songs.
Walt enjoyed playing the guitar and painting, but his life-long passion was fly fishing and fly tying. In September 2013, in West Yellowstone, MT, he was awarded the “Buz Buszek Memorial Award”, the most prestigious award the International Federation of Fly Fishers (IFFF) bestows upon an individual. His fly plate containing a sampling of his creations is on display in the IFFF museum in Livingston, MT. His retirement years were filled by numerous appearances at fly fishing exhibitions across the United States demonstrating his fly tying techniques. He was featured in numerous fly fishing magazine articles.
Visitation was held at Valhalla Funeral Home and Memory Gardens, 700 Winchester Road, Huntsville, AL on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 from noon to 2:00 pm with services following in the chapel. Entombment was in Valhalla Memory Gardens.
The family would like to request that in lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.
