Walter Johnson Weatherly

Walter Johnson Weatherly, 84, of Fort Payne passed away Saturday, July 4, 2015. He was born on September 21, 1930, the adopted son of George Irving, Sr. and Mary Johnson Weatherly. Weatherly received his formative education in the Fort Payne City School, graduating from DeKalb County High School in 1948. During his teen-age years he earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and also attained the rank of Ambassador in the Royal Ambassador Chapter of First Baptist Church. During high school he was on the DeKalb High Wildcat football team and was named to the All County Team his senior year. After high school he enrolled at Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University) graduating with a B.S. Degree in Agriculture in 1952. During his college years he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Social Fraternity, serving as its president in 1952. While at Auburn he was active in campus life serving on the yearbook staff and was affiliated with several agricultural student organizations. He was selected for membership in Blue Key National Honor Fraternity and for membership in Spades Honor Society which recognizes the ten outstanding members of the senior class. Weatherly began his banking career with State National Bank in 1952. He was a member of the Fort Payne Jaycees serving as its president and received that organizations Distinguished Service Award. In 1962, he was elected president of the Alabama Jaycee’s. He served as county chairman of the American Red Cross fund drive and also served the chapter as county blood drive chairman for three years. He was a member of the committee that organized the DeKalb County United Givers Fund, serving as its first treasurer and the following year, was president and fund drive chairman. For several years, he served on the Fort Payne Housing Authority Board. In 1961, he was recognized as one of the Four Outstanding Young Men of Alabama. He also held several offices in the Young Bankers Group of the Alabama Bankers Association serving as its president. He was selected to receive the award as the Outstanding Young Banker of Alabama. He received his advanced banking degree from the School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University. Weatherly served as treasurer of the Fort Payne City Board of Education and also served on that boards Citizen Advisory Committee. He was an active member of Forest Avenue PTA serving as president of the group. He also served on the board of directors of the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce and was a member of that organizations industrial committee. Weatherly served on the board of directors of the Northeast Alabama Farmers Produce Market. He was on the board of the Madison County United Givers Fund and served as chairman of the Chickasaw District, Madison County Boy Scouts. Weatherly joined New York Life as an agent in 1973. He served on the DeKalb County Library Board for 19 years serving as its chairman and treasurer. He was fund raising chairman during the construction of the present library building. He was on the Executive Board of the Alabama Public Library Service in Montgomery for 11 years. In 1993, he helped to organize the Mary C. Weatherly Memorial Foundation that has benefited the DeKalb County Library and has been on the board of trustees since its inception. He has been a trustee of Landmarks of DeKalb County and served four year as its president. Weatherly was house manager for several years and also served as chairman of construction during the renovation of the building housing the Hunt Reception Hall and Hosiery Museum. In recognition of his service to Landmarks, he was awarded the James Ray Kuykendall Lifetime Achievement Award. He has been a member of the First Baptist Church of Fort Payne and has served on the board of deacons. He has also been a member of the Fort Payne Kiwanis Club. In 2011, Weatherly received the V.I. Prewett Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce. This award was given in recognition of his many years of service to organizations of DeKalb County. Weatherly was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Sara Gilbreath; and brother, George I. Weatherly, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lou Ann and son, John W.; along with many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at First Baptist Church of Fort Payne. Visitation will be at Wilson Funeral Home on Tuesday from 4 until 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the Mary C. Weatherly Memorial Foundation for the benefit of the DeKalb County Library. Wilson Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Walter Johnson Weatherly

September 21, 1930 - July 4, 2015