Walter Houston Givhan, 89, died on July 10, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Born on April 14, 1935, in Selma, Alabama, to Walter Coats Givhan and Mae Cheatham Givhan, Walter grew up on the family farm near Safford, Alabama, where he enjoyed the life of a country boy riding horses, hunting, and raising cattle.
An alumnus of Orrville High School and Marion Military Institute, Walter continued his education at The University of Alabama, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Management and Accounting. Later he would earn a Master’s degree in Banking from Louisiana State University.
After running the family farm for several years, he began a long and successful career in banking, eventually serving as president of Central Bank of Tuscaloosa, Central Bank of Montgomery, and AmSouth Bank of Destin, even as he continued to manage his farm in Safford.
Walter served his country in the military for 20 years. As an officer and aviator in the U.S. Army and then the Alabama National Guard, he flew both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, including the L-19/O-1 Bird Dog, L-20/U-6 Beaver, and UH-1 Huey. He retired at the rank of major in 1995. In addition to his military flying, he enjoyed owning and flying private aircraft, especially the Cessna 172 Hawk XP and Cessna 182 Skylane. He also donated his time, skill, and aircraft to flying Angel Flights to transport patients for medically related needs.
In recent years, Walter was at various times an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Selma, Alabama, Christ Episcopal Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and St. Simon’s on the Sound Episcopal Church in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, where he served in lay leadership roles.
An enthusiastic sportsman, Walter loved hunting and fishing, particularly quail hunting and deep-sea fishing, which were among the favorite pursuits that he shared with friends and family.
Walter is survived by his children, Walter D. Givhan (Frances), Kirsten C. Givhan, George W. McKee (Michelle), and Robert J. McKee (Suzanne); his daughter-in-law, Janet Dothard Givhan; his brother, Samuel P. Givhan (Lynne); twelve grandchildren, Mary Evelyn Humphreys (Mike), Jane Humphreys Martin (Tim), William B. Humphreys, Walter B. Givhan, Frances Marion Givhan, Vivian Givhan Grimes (Sam), Charlotte Ann Givhan, Virginia Mae Givhan, Elizabeth Mims McKee, Walker W. McKee, Gordon A. Lawless (Christie), C. Portland Lawless; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Janis Johnson Givhan, his son, R. Marcus Givhan, his brother, James E. Whidby, and his sister, Helen Whidby Lyons Stead.
A service to honor his life was held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Selma, Alabama, on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., with a reception at the church immediately following. A private burial took place at New Live Oak Cemetery with Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home of Selma directing.
Pallbearers were grandsons William B. Humphreys, Walter B. Givhan, Gordon A. Lawless, C. Portland Lawless, Walker W. McKee, and grandson-in-law Samuel S. Grimes. Honorary Pallbearers were Joseph P. Givhan, Samuel H. Givhan, David B. Givhan, Bryan S. Givhan, Joseph R. Pearce, Joe Young, Bill Sanders, and Rob Richardson.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
