Walter Cliff McCarty

Walter Cliff McCarty, 79, of Sumiton Alabama; formerly Alliance Alabama, Chattanooga Tennessee and anywhere the Navy and union decided to send him and all parts in between. Patriarch of the McCarty clan, storyteller, historian and hooligan. Walter received an important call concerning an exclusive meeting he must attend. We all know about him and his meetings, always hustling a side deal. This meeting required him to “attend” alone, but he would need someone(s) to bring him and “drop” him off. So, we kids and Judy, along with spouses, grandchildren and dear family and friends accompanied him to the “Drop” off spot. As he departed we showered him with hugs, kisses, stories, Irish music, memories and accolades he much deserved. The few details we were given included, the Great Physician, reunions, sign-on-bonus, music and singing, and lots of furry, feathered, and slithering critters. Needless to say, it sounded like a great “Irish Shindig” His meeting date was February 19, 2024 at 7:28am and would last indefinitely. Topic of the meeting was “everything”. To know Walter was to love Walter. He had many beloved family members, friends, acquaintances, and few enemies. He had many aliases; Walter, Walt, Pop, Da, Uncle Walter, Ridge Runner, Precious and Darlings. Walter entered this roll on May 12, 1944, in the midst of World War II, in a small log cabin on a hill above the Warrior River in Jefferson County, Alabama; now called Alliance, Alabama on Tom Salter Road (named after his grandfather). At an early age his parents moved him to Louisiana and then spent his formative years in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He often spoke of his fond memories in Chattanooga including living on Hyde and Hanover Street, Brainerd Junior High School, his friends from the Children’s home, his first girlfriend Linda, going to the movies and eating Krystal burgers at the Krystal restaurant across the street from the movie theatre. Going on fishing trips to the Smokey mountains when there was one store, a post office, and one motel in Gatlinburg. Walter would visit his grandparents in Alabama and go to church with them. We understand most of the young ladies at church had a crush on him. To the point their parents began to fuss over “Who was going to date him”. He was a handsome fella, but he didn’t realize it then. After some shenanigans and malarkey, Walter decided to enlist in the Navy. He became a “Frog Man” on a UDT team. In 1962, JFK declared the formation of Seal Team 1 and 2 from existing UDT teams. Little detail has been disclosed concerning Walter’s military career, a few things we know: he spent time on a gun boat on the rivers of Cambodia transporting and protecting “government advisors” during a time that “the US wasn’t in Cambodia” and saw missions in Cuba during the Cuban Mistle Crisis. Walter never wanted accolades for his military service, but his service played a great part in his deep devotion and service to others. Once out of the Navy, Walter returned to Alabama where he met his beautiful wife, Beverley. Turns out Beverley is the cousin to some of those young ladies who had a crush on Walter. Ha, she ended up getting the prize. Three kids later and a career in the coal mines were the building blocks of a legacy. Working underground in the coal mines he was drawn, partially because his dad was labor leader during the rein of John L. Lewis, the great union leader, and his understanding that a safe work place was important in addition to fair wages, benefits, and paid time off. Walter’s career started underground, then moved him to local union president, district representative, and his final position, he was appointed to the International Auditor of UMWA by Cecil Roberts, UMWA President. Walter was an advocate for the underdog, less fortunate, the working class, and worked very hard to assure that all people were treated equally. Before his kids were born, Walter became an advocate against abortion. He could be protesting in front of abortion clinics, but soon realized that the act of abortion was much more complex than just one decision. Walter realized that all abortions were not done out “convenience” but a lot of time was done due to lack of resources and support systems. He teamed up to assist with formation of Planned Parenthood, so that women could connect to resources so abortion was not an option for them. There is no telling how many lives have been saved over the years as a result of his work. In his later years he would become involved in the BINGO industry in Alabama. He was a driving force in the formation of the law and rewriting of such laws where it spoke on legalized gambling. Many lawyers would tell you that Walter was the most knowledgeable person around concerning these matters and “went to bat” for the right to operate. There are but a few terms that Walter embodied: “The GOAT”, son, brother, father, husband, grandfather, uncle Walter, friend, advocate, Civil Rights advocate, labor leader, chef, bullshitter, hell raiser, “animal whisperer”, snake charmer, war veteran, peace maker, negotiator, the people’s representative, Planned Parenthood advocate, Chez-poppa-boy, SEAL. Walter was a story teller to the end. He loved food, preparing and eating it, he was notorious for his Cajun fried turkeys, fish fries, crawfish boils, and he prepared the best blackened steaks. He loved to share food almost as much as he liked to eat. He was happiest when sharing a good meal with others. If pictures appeared in the dictonary next to words, Walter’s picture would appear by the word “Giver”. A giver to the end. Walter’s last political decision was to change from the Democratic party to the Republican party because in his own words “I had rather a ‘TRUMP’ republican die than an progressive democrat”. Walter is preceded in death by his parents, Walter Gaines and Lucille McCarty; wife, Beverly Hubbard McCarty; mother and father in-law, Viva Lee and Howell Hubbard; sisters, Sally (Carl) Palachek, Patsy (Buddy) Monte and Eloise (Coot) Scarbrough; brothers, Larry and Dennie (Betty) McCarty; good friend and mentor, Justin Wilson; as well as many nieces, nephews, loved ones and furry and feathered friends. Left to cherish Walter's memory include his wife, Judy Winkler; children, Mark (Ann) McCarty, Alanna (Trisha) McCarty, and Angela (Allen) Rutledge; step-children, Natalie Thomas and Jeremy (Brooke) Winkler; grandchildren, Straden, Taylor, Ashley, Thomas, Nick, Noah, Laurel, Dakota, Kaylie Thomas, Kelsey Thomas, Bayleigh Handley, Kyle, Matthew, and Shannon; great-grandchildren, Braxton, Mason, Aiden, Walter Thomas, Joseph, Silas, River, Sarah, Carter, Abigail, Logan, Kylie, Everleigh, Nora Rose, James Harlan, and Declan; dear friend, Dr. Alain Bouchard; life-long friends, capboard, Daryl Dewberry, and Lane Alexander as well as a host of nieces, nephews, dear friends, colleagues, and a few enemies. A memorial Service will be held Friday, February 23, 2024 at Quintown Church of Christ at 2:00pm. Visitation will be held from 12:00-2:00pm.

Walter Cliff McCarty

May 12, 1944 - February 19, 2024