Walter W. West, 92, passed away on February 22, 2023, in Morristown, Tennessee. He was born on January 9, 1931, and was raised in Emmanuel Co, GA. He attended Georgia State University, Atlanta Barber College and the Atlanta Art Institute. He served his country during the early 1950’s in the U.S. Army. He met and married his first wife and mother of his three children, Mary Frances Champion West in Atlanta where they raised their family until retirement.

Walter owned and operated the West Barber Shop in downtown Atlanta where he served many notable clients such as former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter when he served as Governor of Georgia. Atlanta journalist and author, Lewis Grizzard included quips from Walter’s vast memory of jokes in several books. In 1996 Walter and Mary moved to Morristown, TN where he worked part time at Crescent Center Barbershop until he retired to care for his ailing wife, Mary Frances. They enjoyed 54 years together until her death in 2010.

Walter had the great gift of encouragement and cheered others with words of affirmation. He often shared his view that “Life is just wonderful!” He was an avid landscape artist who took joy in giving many of his paintings to family, friends, and local restaurants. He particularly enjoyed painting farm and snow scenes from his memories in Georgia and of course his adopted East Tennessee Smoky Mountains. He was a devout Christian, serving as an Elder at Grace Covenant Presbyterian and Talbott­Cumberland Presbyterian churches as he enjoyed singing in the Chancel choirs. He also served as a Gideon to help spread the gospel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Ruby West of Twin City, GA. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Nell (George) Youmans, Mary (Graham) Woodell, and Betty (Ray) Peebles. Walter also lost his son, Dr. Philip West, and an infant daughter.

Walter is survived by his wife of 8 years, Betty Barrett West, son Rodney (Melissa) West, and daughter Katherine (Joe) Gibson. He was blessed with 9 grandchildren: Chip (Angela) Gibson, Ben (Rebecca) Gibson, Katelyn (Geoff) Singleton, Steven (Brooke) West, Bradley (Anna) West, John West, Andrew West, Ashley (Greg) West Beaman, Alexis West and fiancée Taylor Sipple. A great thrill of his life was to see the arrival of 7 beloved great grandchildren and was excited about another great grandson due in April. He was blessed with many nieces, nephews and extended family members who he showered with love.

The family would like to thank Dr. Rajeev Gupta and staff, Interim Home Health, the staff of the Heritage Center, Smoky Mountain Health care and hospice and the entire staff at Dewitt Place Assisted Living for their kind and compassionate care of Walter in the past few years.

A celebration of Walter’s life will take place at Allen Funeral Home in Morristown on Saturday, March 4, 2023. Visitation will occur from 12:30-1:30 p.m. The service will be at 1:30 p.m. with burial immediately following at Jarnagin Cemetery in Morristown.

Arrangements by Allen Funeral Home.