Walter Anderson

Obituary

      Mr. Walter Anderson peacefully departed this life on  Saturday, August 7, 2021 in Wheaton, Maryland at the age of 89. He was the son of Ernest Anderson and Sadie Nixon, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the youngest of nine children. Raised in South Philadelphia, he attended St. Peter Claver and St. Simon churches with his family. Unfortunately, with the loss of both his parents, he was raised from a young age to adulthood by his endearing sister Lillian Anderson Fuller.

     Walter Anderson honorably served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne from  September, 1950 – October, 1953, leaving Philadelphia by train for the first time, during the Eisenhower presidency. Stationed in Ft. Bragg in North Carolina and then at Ft. Drum in the Adirondack Mountains, he was trained as a paratrooper to jump from airplanes and to ski. Along with others, he was one of the first African-American men to serve in this role.

     He was wed to Mamie (Williams) Anderson (to whom he was affectionately known as “Walkie”) on November 6, 1954 in  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Together with his loving wife of 56 years (who predeceased him), he raised six children Eric Walter (deceased), Ernest Clay, Robin Edwin, Troy James, Faith Eleanore, and Johanna Stacey. He worked swing shifts for many years at Simpson Paper Company as the provider and the patriarch of a loving family. His living legacy includes 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, and  a host of other relatives and friends.

     As both a deacon and trustee of Deliverance Evangelistic Church (DEC), he remained faithful for more than 40 years: visiting inmates during service on the prison ministry, and as a member of the one and only DEC Male Chorus. He labored as a commissioner and head coach of the Christian Basketball League, for he which he won a championship, serving as a mentor to young men in and around inner city Philadelphia.

     As he gained in years, his steps got slower; however, he held fast to the Lord Jesus, a humble heart and a joyous and encouraging spirit. He would often remind others to keep their eyes on Jesus and not on man. Although we know he will be missed by family and friends from Seattle, WA to Saluda, SC, we saw a life surrendered to God and we imagine the Almighty saying to him, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Walter Anderson, please visit our floral store.