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Walter Folk Pinder, 91, passed away on Friday, June 11, 2021 at Wayne Memorial Hospital under the care of Hospice of South Georgia.
Walt was born on June 23, 1929 in Miami, Florida, third son of the late William Comfort and Wilhelmina Folk Pinder. After high school, he attended Stetson University in DeLand, Florida where he met the love of his life and his future wife, Shirla Ione Shaw of Jesup, Georgia. Walt completed his Bachelor’s Degree and began his service to our country in the United States Air Force as a fighter pilot stationed at Walker Air Force Base in Roswell, New Mexico. One Christmas, Walt came home on leave and got the best gift he could have ever been given, the hand of his beloved Shirla in marriage. The couple lived in Roswell for a short time and eventually moved back to Florida where they lived in both DeLand and Miami before relocating to Jesup in 1963. Walt worked several jobs in sales before taking a position at Rayonier where he eventually worked his way “up the ladder” to the position of Assistant Personnel Manager. After retirement, Walt owned and operated MusiCorner, a retail music store, with his two sons, eventually growing the business to three locations, Jesup, Hinesville and Waycross. His love of music was evident and he served as a part time Music Minister at Altamaha Baptist Church for many years. He shared this love with his children and many of his favorite times were spent with his family singing, caroling and having fun together. Walt’s love of flying was one of the only things that could compare to the joy he found in music. He flew his entire life and owned his own airplane for a while. He worked with the Jekyll Island Authority for many years where he gave sightseeing tours around the island allowing tourists the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Jekyll from above while also helping out on the golf course. He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church, Jesup where he sang in the choir, served as a deacon and attended the Golden Rulers Sunday School Class. In his later years, Walt enjoyed watching sports of all kinds, Andy Griffith and old Western movies on television.
In addition to his parents his wife, Shirla Ione Shaw Pinder; his brother, William Comfort Pinder, Jr; daughter-in-law, Katherine Sittle Pinder and son-in-law, Ronald L. Kennedy, all preceded him in death.
Survivors include his children, Walter F. Pinder, Jr. and wife, Melissa of Jesup, Susan Pinder Kennedy of Jesup, Terry L. Pinder and wife, Sharon Smythe Pinder of DeLeon Springs, Florida and Shirla Pinder Langknecht and husband, Rev. Dr. Henry John Langknecht of Great Falls, Virginia; brother, Rev. Dr. Robert H. Pinder and wife, Joyce of Round Rock, Texas and grandchildren, Erin Pinder Ishimoticha and husband, Max, Allison Pinder Miller and husband, Matt, Kerri Pinder Halbert, Erik David Kennedy, Katie Pinder Brown and husband, Eric, Anna Lee Jayamanne and husband, C.J., Jackson Robert Pinder and wife, Maryna, Adam S. Langknecht and wife, Raquel Harrah Langknecht and H. Jacob Langknecht and partner, Katrina Eresman. Six great-grandchildren and numerous, nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members also survive.
Visitation will be from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 13, 2021 at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 14, 2021 at First Baptist Church, Jesup with Rev. Dr. Michael VonMoss officiating.
Interment will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery with military honors rendered by the United States Air Force.
Active pallbearers will be grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be Deacons and members of the Golden Rulers Sunday School class of First Baptist Church, Jesup.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to First Baptist Church, Jesup, P.O. Box 1115, Jesup, GA 31598 or Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd. Jesup, GA 31545.
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