Walter Warren Parker

Walter Warren Parker, 88, passed away September 17, 2023, at his home, in Bloomingdale, Georgia. He was born in Rocky Ford, GA, and was the only child of John Wilson and Walton Polk Parker.

He attended Chatham County schools, graduating from Savannah High with the last January Graduating Class, in 1954. He attended Virginia Polytechnical Institute, in Blacksburg, VA and the College of William & Mary.

He served in the U.S. Army Security Agency, in Germany, from 1957-1960. After completing service to his country, he became a civilian employee with the Department of Defense (National Security Agency). He then returned to Tybee Island to join in the family business, Bill’s Grill and Reynolds Apartments. He owned several businesses on Tybee over the years including The Corner and The Ice Cream Cone.

He was passionate about being a public servant. He served as police commissioner for Tybee Island and was elected Mayor, in 1985 where he led the city for 16 years. His primary goal was beach preservation. He was appointed by various state and national officials to serve on numerous committees and commissions that dealt with state and national beach renourishment efforts leading to the development of a protection plan for Coastal Georgia. He was an active member of the Tybee Island Beach Task Force and secured the very first funding for beach renourishment for Tybee.

One of his proudest moments was the renaming of the Tybrisa Pier to the Walter Parker Pier and Pavilion, in his honor, in May 2007.

For many years he was a member of Trinity Chapel United Methodist Church, on Tybee Island. He loved classical music, playing the piano and was a devoted member of the chancel choir. He continued to attend the men’s prayer breakfast for many decades. Upon moving to west Chatham County, he and Mary Ann joined the Meldrim Church, and were active members of the Helping Hands Sunday School class.

He was preceded in death by his father, John Wilson Parker, of Dublin, GA, and his mother, Walton Polk Parker Lucas Reynolds, of Tybee Island, and his brother-in-law, Rufus Lang Baughn, III.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Ann Baughn Parker; a son, Donald Walter (Kathleen), of Pooler; a daughter Laurie Ann (Keith), of Bloomingdale; and a special cousin (reared as a daughter) Joanna Russell Cason, of Hilliard, FL, and her children and grandchildren.

He is also survived by one grandson, Joshua Warren Parker (Holland), of Casselberry, FL; and three granddaughters, Ashley Nicole Axtell, of Parrish, FL; Savannah Lynn Parker, of St. Cloud, FL; and Morgan Parker Axtell, of Bloomingdale, GA; and five great-grandchildren: Olivia Paige, Sophia Grace, Ethan James, and Wyatt Asher Bernhardt, of Parrish, FL; and Sylvie Marie Parker of Casselberry, FL.

He is also survived by a beloved sister-in-law, Denise Ridenour Baughn-Williams and her husband, Ronald Dean Williams; a niece, Taylor Ann Baughn, and a nephew, Cody Lang Baughn, of San Diego, CA and Tybee Island, GA; and his niece, Bonnie Elizabeth Baughn Mayberry, of Willow Springs, MO, and her children and grandchildren; as well as numerous cousins.
Memorial services will be held at The Meldrim Church, 219 Third Street, Meldrim, GA, Friday, September 22, at 10:30 a.m. Arrangements are being handled by Baker McCullough Funeral Home, in Garden City, Ga.

In lieu of flowers, Remembrances may be sent to the Tybee Island Historical Society: Lighthouse Preservation Fund; the Meldrim Church; or Compassus Hospice.