Obituary for Leslie Franklin Walters Jr.
Leslie Franklin (Skip) Walters, Jr. died on January 14, 2021 at the age of 87. He lived in Bristol Tennessee at the time of his death, after residing in Franklin, North Carolina for over 30 years.
Skip was born in Jacksonville Florida on October 8, 1933 to the late Miriam Trice Walters and Leslie Franklin Walters, Sr., he was pre-deceased by his wife Gail, his two sons Leslie Franklin Walters III and Garland Steven Walters and a brother Edward Walters.
Skip and Lila Gail married in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 1964, where they remained until moving to Franklin, North Carolina in 1985. Skip was a Battalion Chief for the City of Fort Lauderdale Fire Department until his retirement in 1983. He then attended vocational school, where he learned the art of auto upholstery, and opened Skip’s Auto Upholstery in Franklin, North Carolina. Skip was a member of and deacon at Cowee Baptist Church, Franklin, NC.
Skip LOVED antique cars and was a member of the Antique Automobile Club of America, as well as Gem Capital and Maggie Valley Antique Automobile Clubs. He loved attending car shows throughout the United States and purchasing as many cars as he could.
Skip was a Sergeant in the United States Marines, serving during the Korean War. He earned a “Sharpshooter” medal during his service. He was also a member of the Marine Corp League, participating in “Toys for Tots” every year. Semper Fi
Skip is survived by his children Donald Walters, Judi Major, Tammy Backlund, Rebecca Crouse and Amber Kinser, as well as 11 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and a sister, Joyce Mason. He is also survived by many nieces, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Avalon Hospice of Bristol, Tennessee.
Visitation will be held Saturday, January 23, 2021 from 1:00 to 1:30 PM at Cowee Baptist Church and a graveside service will immediately follow in Cowee Baptist Church Cemetery with Marine Honor Guard participation.
Macon Funeral Home of Franklin, NC is in charge of arrangements.
Skip was born in Jacksonville Florida on October 8, 1933 to the late Miriam Trice Walters and Leslie Franklin Walters, Sr., he was pre-deceased by his wife Gail, his two sons Leslie Franklin Walters III and Garland Steven Walters and a brother Edward Walters.
Skip and Lila Gail married in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 1964, where they remained until moving to Franklin, North Carolina in 1985. Skip was a Battalion Chief for the City of Fort Lauderdale Fire Department until his retirement in 1983. He then attended vocational school, where he learned the art of auto upholstery, and opened Skip’s Auto Upholstery in Franklin, North Carolina. Skip was a member of and deacon at Cowee Baptist Church, Franklin, NC.
Skip LOVED antique cars and was a member of the Antique Automobile Club of America, as well as Gem Capital and Maggie Valley Antique Automobile Clubs. He loved attending car shows throughout the United States and purchasing as many cars as he could.
Skip was a Sergeant in the United States Marines, serving during the Korean War. He earned a “Sharpshooter” medal during his service. He was also a member of the Marine Corp League, participating in “Toys for Tots” every year. Semper Fi
Skip is survived by his children Donald Walters, Judi Major, Tammy Backlund, Rebecca Crouse and Amber Kinser, as well as 11 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and a sister, Joyce Mason. He is also survived by many nieces, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Avalon Hospice of Bristol, Tennessee.
Visitation will be held Saturday, January 23, 2021 from 1:00 to 1:30 PM at Cowee Baptist Church and a graveside service will immediately follow in Cowee Baptist Church Cemetery with Marine Honor Guard participation.
Macon Funeral Home of Franklin, NC is in charge of arrangements.