Walton B. Dunn Sr.

Tupelo--Walton B. Dunn, Sr., 92, died in North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, Mississippi on October 4, 2010. A resident of Tupelo, Mississippi, for the past eleven years Mr. Dunn was born November 18, 1917, outside of Christmasville, Tennessee, to Mr. and Mrs. William Walton Dunn, Sr. (Nancy Elizabeth Blackburn). Walton secured his first job at age nine when his father gave him his first small mule and plow, and he soon learned that he did not want to be a farmer. He graduated from McKenzie High School in McKenzie, Tennessee, and worked a short while for Kroger Grocery, then took a job with Western Electric Company and made his way to Biloxi, Mississippi, the summer of 1941 where he met his wife to be, Natalie Mary Ann Blacksher. Walton and Natalie married December 25, 1941. When the United States entered World War II, Walton worked in two shipyards as a foreman in charge of gyroscopes on navy fighting ships with a full deferment from military draft, because his job was important to the nations defense. Feeling the need to fight for his country, Walton joined the United States Marine Corps in 1943 and served in the 1st Marine Division and with it invaded Okinawa on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1944. Walton was seriously wounded in the push to take Shuri Castle the end of May and was evacuated to Guam before returning to fight again. After Japan surrendered he served in Northern China before returning to the States.

Soon after returning from WWII Walton joined Southern Bell Telephone Company and moved into management in 1950. He served as Plant Manager in Biloxi and Jackson and District Plant Manager for the Tupelo District from 1964-1973. Walton finished his work with South Central Bell Telephone Company from 1973-1981 as Safety Supervisor and Staff Specialist after over 37 years of service. He was a member Calvary Baptist Church of Tupelo, the Civitan Club and Pioneers telecommunications volunteer organization. He was also a long time supporter of the Boys Scouts of America.

Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Dr. David Eldridge officiating. Burial will be in Lee Memorial Park.

Walton and Natalie were happily married for almost 69 years and found great joy in their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Survivors include his wife Natalie and son, Walton B. Dunn, Jr. (Betty Gayle) of Tupelo, granddaughter, Melissa Sullivan (Heath) and great grandchildren, Tyler and Sarah Ashley Sullivan of Tupelo; son, W. David Dunn (Cherry) of Columbus, granddaughter, Rachel B. Watkins (Larry Slutzky) and great grandchildren, Anna Frances Julian and Henry Julian of Athens, Georgia, and Emily W. Ashbury (Keith) and great grandchildren, Luke Ashbury and Andrew Ashbury of Virginia Beach, Virginia; son, Daryl W. Dunn (Allison), and grandchildren, Austin Dunn, Amber Dunn and Alex Dunn of Marietta, Georgia,; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and other family members.

Pall Bearers are Austin Dunn, Alex Dunn, Larry Slutzky, Keith Asbury, Billy Johnson, Glenn Ellis, Heath Sullivan, Charles McArthur and Fred Haise.

Donations may be made to the benevolence fund of Calvary Baptist Church, PO Box 1008, Tupelo MS 38802; or Hope Family Ministries, 2754 Mattox St. Tupelo MS 38801.

Visitation will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.