On Tuesday, May 27, 2014, Walter D. Norris, 69, of Butler, Tenn., passed from the arms of his loving family into the arms of his Heavenly Father at the Johnson City Medical Center following a brief illness.
Walter was preceded in death by his father, Walter Denver Norris, and sister, Mary Townsend.
Walter was a loving and devoted husband, father, soon to be grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who we love, admire, respect and will miss beyond measure. Walter leaves behind to honor and cherish his memory his wife of 46 years, Paulette Pearson Norris; his son, Walter Joel Norris and wife Denise; his mother, Helen Norris; brothers, Clark and wife Sharon, Glenn and wife Barbara, Wade and wife Brazilla, and Fred and wife Jewel; sisters, Jane Phillips and husband Fred, Becky Winebarger, Margaret Baird, and Lisa Flynt and husband Tim. Other family include Billy Pearson and wife Lorean, Jerry Pearson, Ann Wolfe, Debra Greenwell and husband Jim, and Reta Presnell and husband Jay. Many nieces and nephews also survive.
A faithful Christian servant, Walter was a member of Sugar Grove Baptist Church for 44 years. He served as trustee for 38 years and was treasurer of Sugar Grove Cemetery.
Walter attended school in Cove Creek, N.C. He was employed by Vermont American Corporation and retired from Appalachian State University in 2008. Walter was known for his strong work ethic; being a man of integrity, he was a man of his word.
Walter’s pride and joy was his family, he enjoyed traveling with his wife and their dog Zach. Walter and his son Joel shared a passion for Richard Petty, NASCAR Racing and restoring old Mopar Muscle cars. He enjoyed working outside and helping his family and neighbors with mowing, gardening and splitting wood. Walter was especially excited in anticipation of the birth of his first grandchild in November.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation to Walter’s medical team and nursing staff on 5200 and 5300 at Johnson City Medical Center.
Services for Walter D. Norris will be held at Sugar Grove Baptist Church with ministers Alan Koch, Ray Greene and Scott Fisher officiating on Saturday, May 31, at 3 p.m. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Interment will follow in the Sugar Grove Cemetery. Music will be provided by Ray Don Markland, Joel Norris and the Sugar Grove Baptist Church Choir. Active pallbearers are Travis Baird, Michael Fletcher, Todd Norris, Tim Norris, Alan Pearson, Timothy Pearson, Ben May and David Fletcher. Honorary pallbearers are Walter’s brothers, Clark, Glenn, Wade and Fred; his brothers-in-law, Billy, Jerry, Jim and Jay; nephews, Terrance Pearson and Scott Norris; and members of the Sugar Grove Baptist Men’s Sunday School Class. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Walter’s memory to the Sugar Grove Cemetery Fund, 925 Sugar Grove Church Road, Butler, TN 37640. Condolences to the Norris family may be e-mailed to mfc@chartertn.net.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.