Walter Palmer, Sr

Walter George Palmer, Sr. formerly of Albemarle, North Carolina died peacefully on June 1, 2011 at St. Mary’s Hospice House in Athens, Georgia. He was called by his nickname “Watt”, short for his grade school mascot, the Badin Kilowatt’s. Watt was born in the small Montgomery County gold mining town of Eldorado, North Carolina on March 14, 1924. He was the son of the late John Cornelius Palmer, Sr. and the late Beatrice Gertrude Bruton. He was also preceded in death by brothers, John Cornelius Palmer, Jr., Wallace Frederick Palmer, and William Clayton Palmer; sisters, Blanche Bruton Palmer Coggin, Minnie Louise Palmer Swift. He was the youngest of the Palmer boys, known for their ability to get around a golf course with a minimum of strokes. During his teens, Watt caddied at the country club, was a ‘soda jerk’ in the local drug store and spent many hot summer afternoons swimming at Badin Lake. He graduated from Badin High School in 1942. He enlisted in the US Army at Fort Bragg as a private on July 31, 1943. He served as a combat medic in battles and campaigns of Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He supervised a medical unit of 126 men in the administration, care and treatment of the sick, injured and wounded. He served for 2 years in European Theater of Operations. During his service in the US Army, he was awarded the following medals and honors; Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Service Medal, Croix De Guerre, WWII Victory Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, EAME Service Medal with four Bronze Service Stars and one Bronze Arrowhead. He was discharged January 30, 1946 with the rank of Technical Sergeant. After his military service, Watt attended UNC Chapel Hill for a year. Back home he met the love of his life, Juanita Thompson, whom he finally convinced to marry him on March 24, 1951. He was preceded in death by his love, whom he missed every day. He was employed as a clerk with Alcoa Aluminum in Badin for over 40 years. He retired from Alcoa in 1984. In his retirement, he enjoyed keeping a clean car, watching sports and playing golf every Saturday. He referred to himself as a ‘weekend hacker’ and his lowest score was 71 on the Badin golf course. Also, Watt and Nita enjoyed many trips to Myrtle Beach. Watt did all the grocery shopping for the house and was a regular at all the grocery stores in Albemarle. He loved to cook on the grill and was famous for his “Watt Palmer” NY Strip steaks. In an effort to appease his wife, he reluctantly moved to Madison, Georgia in July 2007 to be closer to his son and grandchildren. Shortly after moving, he was diagnosed with and bravely battled colon cancer. In Madison, he found many new friends at the downtown restaurants and the local Perk Avenue coffee shop, where he would sit daily and read the newspaper. Many people knew him as the little man with the UGA Georgia cap, which his family gave him to blend in with the Madison locals. Watt is survived by his son, Walter George Palmer, Jr. and wife Jennifer; grandchildren, Cameron Anne and Walter George Palmer, III, all of Madison Georgia. The family will receive friends, Saturday, June 4, 2011 from 1pm until 3pm at the home of George and Jennifer Palmer in Madison, Georgia. In addition, they will receive friends at Hartsell Funeral Home in Albemarle, North Carolina on Sunday, June 5, 2011 from 5pm until 7pm. Burial will be in Fairview Memorial Park on Monday, June 6, 2011 at 1pm. The family asks that prayers be made for our military. Charitable contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 1578, Albemarle, NC 28002 or to First United Methodist Church, PO Box 350, Madison, GA 30650.