Celebrating the life of
Walter C. Carson, Jr.
May 24, 1939 - May 22, 2015
Walter Charlton Carson, Jr., died peacefully at Hospice Savannah, Inc. surrounded by his family Friday, May 22, 2015. He was born in Savannah May 24, 1939, the son of Walter Charlton Carson and Ethel Davidson Carson. He was the grandson of John Avery Gere Carson, Jr., Ruth Ward Carson, John Sheldon Davidson, and Mary Danforth Davidson. He married Beverly Streiff Carson in 1972 and they were blessed with two children.
Walter was educated at Woodberry Forest School, Georgia Tech, and The University of Georgia where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Reflecting on his life, Walter’s favorite educational experience was at the Woodberry Forest School, located in Orange, Virginia. Woodberry is a male only boarding school. He always spoke of the great education he received, and funny stories generated from being in a male environment.
He spent his entire working career in the commercial construction business. He began in St. Petersburg as a project manager for the largest construction company in Florida, Mills & Jones. Then, in 1978, Walter joined his father at W.C. Carson, Inc. in Savannah. He was able to take over ownership of the company after his father’s retirement, and manage and grow the company to run throughout the southeast for the next 30 years. Carson built many of the landmark buildings in Savannah, including the impressive Savannah College of Art & Design’s Museum of Art and Administration Buildings. Walter was successful because people were drawn to his confidence, and his consistent positive attitude. Walter retired in 2012 to spend time with his family and friends. Although retired, Walter continued to stay busy while mediating cases at the mediation center. It was the interaction with people that made him the most happy.
If you talk to anyone that knew Walter, they would tell you that he loved life and lived it to its fullest. Walter, also known as “Jack” to his grandchildren, never met a stranger and enjoyed talking with all, whether it was during nightly walks with his dog Winston, or over drinks and dinner. Walter’s glass was always half full. Over his lifetime, became a pilot, a boat captain and offshore fisherman with his son, Walter, a world traveler with his wife Beverly, enjoyed his Harley Davidson motorcycle rides, shooting trap and scratch at the Forest City Gun Club, playing golf, and his latest passion as a race car driver. He raced vintage and competition race cars throughout the Eastern United States. He would always say, “What a rush!” Walter also had a love for music, and was musically inclined, playing both the guitar and piano.
Walter spent his entire life helping others. He held memberships to several organizations in Savannah. He was in the Coast Guard Reserves, and was also a Life Scout, for the Boy Scouts. He was a long time board member and past chairman of the Savannah Economic Development Authority. Always enthusiastic about education, Walter spent many years funding SCAD student’s scholarships. He was also a member of The Oglethorpe Club, The Society of Colonial Wars, Sons of the Revolution, St. Andres Society, The St. Petersburg Yacht Club, The Gridiron Secret Society, The Oglethorpe Driving Club, The Savannah Golf Club, The Savannah Yacht Club, The Forest City Gun Club, The Chatham Club, The Debtors Club, Secession Golf Club, and The St. Nicholas Society.
Walter Charlton Carson, Jr. will be missed by all. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Beverly, sister, Anne Carson Wray of Atlanta, brother, Dr. John Davidson “David” Carson (Debbie), children, Paige Carson Cook (Chris) and Walter Charlton Carson, III (Angela) and grandchildren, Will, Carson, Langley, Walter IV, Patch, and sisters-in-law, Ginger Streiff Jennings and Ann Haynes Streiff.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at Saint John’s Church.
Remembrances: Hospice Savannah, Inc., P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416.
I'm still in shock over the passing of Walter. What a GREAT guy and good friend. He supported me politically and in being new to Savannah. He was a great mind and someone I just enjoyed being around and chatting with. Its not highlighted in his obituary but he cared DEEPLY for his community and wanted to see Savannah prosper and more than anything I respected this about him. He had a keen wit and such a joie de vie. Blessings, prayers and love to his wonderful family. I was out of town when his service was held but my thoughts were with you.
- Joseph Steffen, Savannah, Ga
The SCAD family extends our deepest sympathies to Walter’s family and friends. His legacy will long endure in the city that he loved. With prayers for peace and comfort,
- Paula Wallace, SCAD president and founder, Savannah, GA
Margie and I were saddened to hear of Walter's passing. I was privileged to know him thru the Gun Club and spent happy times laughing at stories and having a drink together. He was truly one of the good guys. God bless you. Claude and Margie
- Claude and Margie Richards, Savannah, GA
Our deepest sympathy on the passing of Walter.You will be in our prayers.
- Tom and Judy Mahoney, Savannah, Georgia
Beverly, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families,
- Judy Tillman Green, Savannah, GA
Walter was supportive when my late husband, Gene Hammer, was sick before his passing. He and Gene had a lot of fun racing and "race" talking. He will be missed by many.
- Pamela Oakes-Hammer, Savannah, GA
Beverly, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, we will all miss him...Richard M Geriner, Sr.
- Richard M Geriner, Sr., Savannah, GA
Beverly, I am so sorry to hear about Walter. He was always so kind to me years ago when I worked with him. My prayer is that your wonderful memories and your faith will sustain you now and in the days ahead
- Jan Daniel Crawford, Va. Beach, Va.
I'm very sorry that Walter's gone. I wish I'd gotten to know him better, and been able to roadtrip to some distance races with him. The whole neighborhood will miss him.
- Scott Gress, Savannah, GA
Bev, Our hearts and prayers are with you and your family.
- Kathy and Jake Ross, Savann, GA
Walter was an amazing and wonderful man we grew to love very quickly. He will be missed greatly and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone.
- Luke and Nicole Ballard , Queensland, Australia, AU
So sorry to hear of your loss. My ex-husband, Gene, worked for Walter for many years. Gene always respected him as an employer and a friend. My prayers are with the family that the Lord will bless and comfort you during your time of grief.
- Jackie Tucker, Hampton, SC
So sorry to hear of your loss. My ex-husband, Gene, worked for Walter for many years. Gene always respected him as an employer and a friend. My prayers are with the family that the Lord will bless and comfort you during your time of grief.
- Jackie Tucker, Hampton, SC
Dear Paige and Mrs. Beverly, Please know you and your sweet family are in our thoughts and prayers during this time. All our love, The Wilkins Family
- Adam & Ginger Wilkins, Savannah , Ga
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family.
- Mary and Joel Homansky, Savannah, Ga
I send prayers of peace and healing to Bev and the whole family. Walter was a great guy - always with a smile on his face and a nice word on his lips. I was his "boat guy" when he kept his Wellcraft at Landings Harbor and I'll always remember that I could use it on Saturday (when he played golf) as long as it was clean and ready for him to go out on Sundays...the perfect way of (non) boat ownership! Even though we didn't stay in regular touch, I will miss him. He was a neat guy.
- Paul Mazo, Savannah, GA
Walter could command a room with his energy and wonderful personality. A truly ORIGINAL human being.
- Your Name or Family Name, Atlanta, Ga
My deepest love and prayers to Walter's family and friends. ?
- Suzanne Adams Carson, Savannah, GA
Sorry to hear about Walter passing. Many good time in the Coast Guard.
- Bob White, Greensboro, Ga
Sorry to hear about Walter passing. Many good time in the Coast Guard.
- Bob White, Greensboro, Ga
Walter and I hadn't seen each other in many years, but knowing him and sister Anne in our teen years was such a pleasure! Walter and I played a memorable ping pong game on my porch :-) in which he accidently hit the ball in my eye! What a concerned young man he was...I laughed, and then considered him my first boyfriend! I am so sorry to hear that he's gone. What a great life he led, though. My sympathy to all family and friends.
- Margaret McLamb Collins, Bluffton, SC
We have lost one of the great ones. We send our love and prayers to the family. Walter will always be remembered for his jokes. He always had a story to tell and if you were not there he made sure you knew all the details. Walter we loved you and peace to you and the family.
- Chris and Mike Green, Savannah, GA
Beverly, My deepest sympathy for your loss. Miriam Center
- Miriam Center, Savannah, Georgia
A wonderful human being that will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with the family. "My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here, My heart's in the Highlands, a-chasing the deer; A-chasing the wild deer, and following the roe, My heart's in the Highlands, wherever I go." Robert Burns
- Fred & Maggie Patch, Brunswick, GA
Walter was a life long friend. He was charming and everything was more fun with Walter. His love of life will be missed by all, especially by his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Beverly. Jules and Nancy
- Nancy & Jules Paderewski, Savannah, GA
To my extended family whom I cherish and love so very much! My heart aches with you, and know that I am praying for your faith to sustain your family during this time. Walter is forever with you, by your side and in our hearts.
- Dede Roberts, Savannah, Georgia
Walter was a kindred spirit. He will be missed by all that knew him. Peace to the family.
- Ricky Mitchell, Vidalia, GA
Bev, Paige, & Walter, My heart goes out to you & your families. Our thoughts & prayers are with you. Betty Ann & Chris Di Silvestro
- Betty Ann & Chris Di Silvestro, Savannah, GA
Beverly, We are all so sad today... A light has gone out for all of us... Love you all. Mary and Emerson
- Ham Family, Savannah, GA
He will be missed!!!
- jim and marianna pedrick, Savannah, GA
So sorry to hear about your loss.
- Sue & Ron Hagins, Savannah, ga
I'm still in shock over the passing of Walter. What a GREAT guy and good friend. He supported me politically and in being new to Savannah. He was a great mind and someone I just enjoyed being around and chatting with. Its not highlighted in his obituary but he cared DEEPLY for his community and wanted to see Savannah prosper and more than anything I respected this about him. He had a keen wit and such a joie de vie. Blessings, prayers and love to his wonderful family. I was out of town when his service was held but my thoughts were with you.
- Joseph Steffen, Savannah, Ga
The SCAD family extends our deepest sympathies to Walter’s family and friends. His legacy will long endure in the city that he loved. With prayers for peace and comfort,
- Paula Wallace, SCAD president and founder, Savannah, GA
Margie and I were saddened to hear of Walter's passing. I was privileged to know him thru the Gun Club and spent happy times laughing at stories and having a drink together. He was truly one of the good guys. God bless you. Claude and Margie
- Claude and Margie Richards, Savannah, GA
Our deepest sympathy on the passing of Walter.You will be in our prayers.
- Tom and Judy Mahoney, Savannah, Georgia
Beverly, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families,
- Judy Tillman Green, Savannah, GA
Walter was supportive when my late husband, Gene Hammer, was sick before his passing. He and Gene had a lot of fun racing and "race" talking. He will be missed by many.
- Pamela Oakes-Hammer, Savannah, GA
Beverly, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, we will all miss him...Richard M Geriner, Sr.
- Richard M Geriner, Sr., Savannah, GA
Beverly, I am so sorry to hear about Walter. He was always so kind to me years ago when I worked with him. My prayer is that your wonderful memories and your faith will sustain you now and in the days ahead
- Jan Daniel Crawford, Va. Beach, Va.
I'm very sorry that Walter's gone. I wish I'd gotten to know him better, and been able to roadtrip to some distance races with him. The whole neighborhood will miss him.
- Scott Gress, Savannah, GA
Bev, Our hearts and prayers are with you and your family.
- Kathy and Jake Ross, Savann, GA
Walter was an amazing and wonderful man we grew to love very quickly. He will be missed greatly and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone.
- Luke and Nicole Ballard , Queensland, Australia, AU
So sorry to hear of your loss. My ex-husband, Gene, worked for Walter for many years. Gene always respected him as an employer and a friend. My prayers are with the family that the Lord will bless and comfort you during your time of grief.
- Jackie Tucker, Hampton, SC
So sorry to hear of your loss. My ex-husband, Gene, worked for Walter for many years. Gene always respected him as an employer and a friend. My prayers are with the family that the Lord will bless and comfort you during your time of grief.
- Jackie Tucker, Hampton, SC
Dear Paige and Mrs. Beverly, Please know you and your sweet family are in our thoughts and prayers during this time. All our love, The Wilkins Family
- Adam & Ginger Wilkins, Savannah , Ga
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family.
- Mary and Joel Homansky, Savannah, Ga
I send prayers of peace and healing to Bev and the whole family. Walter was a great guy - always with a smile on his face and a nice word on his lips. I was his "boat guy" when he kept his Wellcraft at Landings Harbor and I'll always remember that I could use it on Saturday (when he played golf) as long as it was clean and ready for him to go out on Sundays...the perfect way of (non) boat ownership! Even though we didn't stay in regular touch, I will miss him. He was a neat guy.
- Paul Mazo, Savannah, GA
Walter could command a room with his energy and wonderful personality. A truly ORIGINAL human being.
- Your Name or Family Name, Atlanta, Ga
My deepest love and prayers to Walter's family and friends. ?
- Suzanne Adams Carson, Savannah, GA
Sorry to hear about Walter passing. Many good time in the Coast Guard.
- Bob White, Greensboro, Ga
Sorry to hear about Walter passing. Many good time in the Coast Guard.
- Bob White, Greensboro, Ga
Walter and I hadn't seen each other in many years, but knowing him and sister Anne in our teen years was such a pleasure! Walter and I played a memorable ping pong game on my porch :-) in which he accidently hit the ball in my eye! What a concerned young man he was...I laughed, and then considered him my first boyfriend! I am so sorry to hear that he's gone. What a great life he led, though. My sympathy to all family and friends.
- Margaret McLamb Collins, Bluffton, SC
We have lost one of the great ones. We send our love and prayers to the family. Walter will always be remembered for his jokes. He always had a story to tell and if you were not there he made sure you knew all the details. Walter we loved you and peace to you and the family.
- Chris and Mike Green, Savannah, GA
Beverly, My deepest sympathy for your loss. Miriam Center
- Miriam Center, Savannah, Georgia
A wonderful human being that will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with the family. "My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here, My heart's in the Highlands, a-chasing the deer; A-chasing the wild deer, and following the roe, My heart's in the Highlands, wherever I go." Robert Burns
- Fred & Maggie Patch, Brunswick, GA
Walter was a life long friend. He was charming and everything was more fun with Walter. His love of life will be missed by all, especially by his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Beverly. Jules and Nancy
- Nancy & Jules Paderewski, Savannah, GA
To my extended family whom I cherish and love so very much! My heart aches with you, and know that I am praying for your faith to sustain your family during this time. Walter is forever with you, by your side and in our hearts.
- Dede Roberts, Savannah, Georgia
Walter was a kindred spirit. He will be missed by all that knew him. Peace to the family.
- Ricky Mitchell, Vidalia, GA
Bev, Paige, & Walter, My heart goes out to you & your families. Our thoughts & prayers are with you. Betty Ann & Chris Di Silvestro
- Betty Ann & Chris Di Silvestro, Savannah, GA
Beverly, We are all so sad today... A light has gone out for all of us... Love you all. Mary and Emerson
- Ham Family, Savannah, GA
He will be missed!!!
- jim and marianna pedrick, Savannah, GA
So sorry to hear about your loss.
- Sue & Ron Hagins, Savannah, ga
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
