James Clayton Walters

James Clayton "Jimmy" Walters, 76, a resident of Carters Creek Pike in Columbia died July 29, 2006 at NHC Hillview following an extended illness.The funeral service will be conducted Monday at 11:00 a.m. at Oakes & Nichols with the Rev. Earl Davis, the Rev. Bob Adair, Judge Bobby Holloway and Judge Bobby Sands officiating. Burial will be in Polk Memorial Gardens.The family will visit with friends after 4:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home concluding with Masonic Rites at 7:00 p.m. Notes of sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com. Born April 19, 1930 to the late Abb and Verna Jarrett Walters in the Theta community of Maury County, Mr. Walters attended Theta School and Spring Hill High School and attended the Theta United Methodist Church. He served his country honorably in the United States Navy during the Korean War (1951-55) as a member of Beachmasters - Unit One in both Japan and Korea. Mr. Walters retired from Columbia Power System in 1993 following a distinguished 34-year career. He was a 52-year member of Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19, serving as Post Commander, District Commander, and Middle Tennessee Vice Commander. He was active in numerous activities of the post; most notably the Memorial Honor Guard, Nurse Education Scholarship Program, American Legion Baseball, and annual Christmas Food Basket deliveries to the needy. He was also a member of 40&8 Voiture 1394 and recently received his 50-year pin as a member of the Columbia Masonic Lodge. An avid horseman, Mr. Walters raised several successful Standardbred foals as well as Tennessee Walking Horses. He was a former member of the Maury County Horseman's Association and served as a ringmaster at numerous shows and always enjoyed his many friends in and around the horse industry. As a young man, he also showed Roadster Ponies alongside his brother, Donny at several Middle Tennessee horse shows. Mr. Walters enjoyed woodworking and collecting pocket knives. Most of all, he was friend to all who met him. A devoted husband, supportive father, loving grandfather and loyal friend, Mr. Walters is survived by his wife, Shirley Anne Holt Walters of Columbia, brother, Donny (Margie) Walters of Columbia, son, John Anderson "Chip" Walters of Murfreesboro, daughters, Jennifer Anne (Vince) Springer of Spring Hill and Janice Alane Cook of Columbia; and grandchildren, Anna Elizabeth Cook, Jamie Katlyn Cook, Samuel Clayton Cook, Erin Anne Springer, Kenneth Bryant "Pete" Springer, and Cooper Holt Springer. Active Pallbearers are Larry Peach, Paul Holt, Stanton Gunnells, William Carl Pilkinton, Anthony Sims, Mike Floyd, Mike Ford, and David Daniels. Honorary Pallbearers are Vince Springer, Mark Gandee, William Frank "Billy" Holt, Calvin Cheek, Neal Wall, James Ray Fraser, Bill Wallace, Noel Ammons, Jack Craig, Jeff Parks, Kyle Patrick, Don Richardson, Jerry Turner, Don Galbreath, along with current and retired members of the Columbia Power System Construction Division, Mickey McCormick, Buddy Dick, Rodney Dick, James Hoil Walker, Keith Baker, members of Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19, members of the Columbia Masonic Lodge, U.S. Navy Beachmasters - Unit One (1951-55), Ted Houston, Judge Bobby Sands, and all other friends at "The Shop."