Lewis Edward Walsh

Mr. Lewis Edward Walsh, 80 of Blackshear, passed away late Sunday evening, November 22, 2020, at Navicent Health Center.

Born in Fitzgerald, GA on September 28, 1940, he had lived most of his adult life in Pierce County.  Mr. Walsh was a 1959 graduate of Fitzgerald High School.  He went to work for Atlantic Coast Railroad following his high school graduation and after a short time decided to serve his country by enlisting in the US Marine Corp.  After four years in the Marines – which took him to Scotland and had him participating in the Cuban Missile Crisis – he returned home and went back to work for the railroad. Mr. Walsh retired in 1998 as a manager after 42 years of service.  He was a member of the Retired Officers Club with CSX and was a member of the Blackshear Masonic Lodge - #270.  He had enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping & traveling in his RV, and playing golf.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. His grandchildren and great grandchildren were his world and he so loved taking them to Disney World for family vacations.  Mr. Walsh was a member of First Baptist Church.  

He was the son of the late Andrew & Annis Ray Hester Walsh.  He was also preceded in death by a grandchild, Candace Walsh; and by his sister, Priscilla Walsh Davis.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Bette Dowdy Walsh of Blackshear; three daughters and sons-in-law, Wendy & Tommy Kicklighter and Holly & John James all of Blackshear, and Penny & Ryan Johnson of Vidalia; two sons, David Walsh of Cochran and John Walsh of Blackshear; two sisters-in-law, Genita (Bill) Cohen of Holden Beach, NC and Wanda (Bobby) McLemore of Fitzgerald; 9 grandchildren, Aubree Walsh, Allison (Ben) Johnson, Logan (Micah) Larson, Elizabeth Bree Kicklighter, Kole Kicklighter, John Benjamin James, Kamden Kicklighter, Kingston Kicklighter, and Benton Johnson; 13 great grandchildren with another little granddaughter on the way; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Funeral services for Mr. Walsh will be held Friday morning, November 27, 2020, at 11:00 o’clock from the First Baptist Church.

Interment will be in the Blackshear Cemetery with military honors conducted by the US Marines.

The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org or to the Southeast Cancer Unit, PO Box 2764, Waycross, GA  31502.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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