Obituary

Gary Steven Walton
(August 1, 1951 - May 5, 2015)

Gary Steven Walton, 63, of Milton, West Virginia, passed away at Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House on May 5, 2015. He was born on August 1, 1951 to Marvin Berdean and Elsie Alice Apple Walton. He was preceded in death by his parents and step-mother Lesta Walton, his first wife, Gertrude Walton, two brothers; Larry Walton and Timothy Walton, and step-brother Mike Ludlow. Survivors include his two daughters, Tai Muldoon and Timmi Shawler as well as two sons, Chase Walton and Jonathon Hemmer. He was the proud papaw of Abigail Shawler and Hudson Muldoon. He graduated from Paoli High School, Paoli, Indiana in 1969. He served in the U.S. Navy and was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Belknap (DLG-26), home-ported in Norfolk, Virginia, separated from active duty in July 1974 and honorably discharged in 1976. After military service during the Vietnam era, he graduated from the University of Southern Indiana (formerly ISUE) in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management. He was also licensed in the State of Indiana as a Real Estate Broker and Auctioneer. He enjoyed gardening and hobbies of woodworking and wood carving. He earned the professional designation as Certified Economic and Community Developer (CEcD) by the International Economic Development Council in 2000., and previously served as the first Executive Director of the Perry County Development Corporation in Tell City, IN; the first Executive Director of the Washington County Economic Growth Partnership in Salem, IN and moved to West Virginia in 1999 to accept the position as Executive Director of the Putnam County Development Authority in Hurricane, WV where he served for over 14 years. He accepted the position as President and CEO of the Huntington Area Development Council (HADCO) in April 2013 and served in that position until his passing. He was a member of the Forrest Burdette Memorial United Methodist Church; a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #9097 in Hurricane, WV; the American Legion; past board member of Awareness Washington County; past Distinguished Club Secretary of the Optimist Club of Jasper, IN; and a long time member and former board member of the Southern Economic Development Council; the International Economic Development Council; board member of the Huntington Tri-State Airport Board and the Wayne County Economic Development Authority. Visitation will be from 4-5 p.m. and a Celebration of Life Service will begin at 5 p.m. at Wallace Funeral Home, 1760 U.S. Route 60 West, Milton, WV on Saturday, May 23rd with Ellis Conley of Forrest Burdette Memorial United Methodist Church, officiating. Also, a visitation will be held from 4-5 p.m. and a Celebration of Life Service beginning at 5 p.m. at McAdams Mortuary, 500 S.W. First Street, Paoli, Indiana 47454 on Sunday, May 24th. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to McDonald’s Chapel Cemetery Fund, c/o Pastor Joyce Beasley, 2523 E. Mt. Sterling Rd., English, Indiana 47118.