Samuel Walton

Lt. Col. Samuel Emmett Walton, Jr. USA Ret. age 87 of Hendersonville, passed away Thursday, November 29, 2007. He was born July 9, 1920 in Fort Worth, TX. A graduate of the University of Maryland, he attended graduate school at the University of Texas at Austin. He had a distinguished 28 year career in his country's service, serving in both World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was the recipient of numerous awards, including the Combat Infantry Badge, the United Nations Service Medal, two Presidential Citations and a Bronze Star. Following military service, he co-founded the International Association of Polygraph Testing, serving as the organization's first President. Walton was the Director of Personnel of Glastron Boat Company in Austin, TX, the Treasurer of Austin Personnel Association, and President of the local Retired Officers Association. Later as Executive Vice-President of Nauta-Line, Glastron;s Houseboat Division, he was responsible for the construction of their facility in Hendersonville, TN. Walton was named Hendersonville's first city manager, and in that capacity, was instrumental in developing the city and establishing many of the entities that make the community what it is today. He was a driving force behind the organization of the fire and police departments and the city court, as well as the development of Memorial Park. Walton served as the first President of the Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce. In later years, he established insurance, real estate, and general contracting business. Active in the Hendersonville Veterans of Foreign Wars, he twice served as Commander and maintained a lifetime membership. He was also a member of the National Retired Officers Association. Walton was actively involved in the Hendersonville Sertoma Club, serving as President of the Noon and Evening Clubs, as well as District Governor. In recognition of his leadership, the Sertoma Club instituted the Sam Walton Scholarship Fund for graduating seniors at Hendersonville High School. Walton was preceded in death by his parents, Kathlyn Williams Demchuck and Samuel Emmett Walton, Sr.; his brothers, Jack Edward and Frank James Schutz; and his wife of 31 years, Crystal Fine Walton. He is survived by his wife, Mary Callis Walton; his daughters, Karen Kay Walton of Sierra Vista, AZ, Donna Walton Meredith and husband, Kenneth of Bowling Green, KY and Maria Faye Walton of Nashville; his grandson, Rev. Trey Walton Meredith and wife, Rev. Julie Dunson Meredith of Easley, SC; his granddaughter, Katherine Alston Meredith of Bowling Green, KY; his sister, Betty Lee Rohmer of Austin, TX; numerous nieces and nephews in TX and NM; his sister-in-law, Jo Anne Smith of Goodlettsville; his brother-in-law, Ernest L. Callis and wife, Susan of Carey, OH and his caregiver, Debbie Graves. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, December 3, 2007 from the Chapel of Hendersonville Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Hendersonville Memory Gardens. Visitation with the family will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday, December 2, 2007 and from 10 a.m. until the time of service Monday, at the Hendersonville Funeral Home. The members of the Noon and Evening Sertoma Clubs will act as Honorary Pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lt. Col. Sam Walton Scholarship Fund, c/o First Tennessee Bank, 429 West Main Street, Hendersonville, TN 37075. HENDERSONVILLE FUNERAL HOME, 615 824-3855.