William Thomas Walden

WILLIAM THOMAS WALDEN, 94 years young, of Brandon, Florida passed away on March 23, 2024 at home. Has a very proud member of the US Air Force for 28 years and obtained the rank of SMSgt. He finished his service at MacDill AFB, FL. He was stationed in Germany twice, Richard-Gebaur AFB MO, Hancock Field Mass., Pinecastle AFB and later McCoy AFB in Orlando FL, Bangkok Air Station, Thailand, and Taipei Air Station Taiwan.

William (Bill) Walden, was born in Lakeland FL on November 3, 1929 to John Gordon Walden and Josephine Floyd Walden. Bill married Carolyn Elaine Wheeler on December 26, 1963 at McCoy AFB Orlando, Florida. They were married 50 years before she passed away in Brandon, FL. He is survived by his sister Suzanne Roberson and Sister-in-law Rosemary Brower Walden of Lakeland and his three children; William Thomas Walden Jr, Barbara Jo Walden, and Carolyn Sue Walden, and 9 grandchild.

After Bill retired he became a photo hobbyist. He took pictures of Country and Western Singers when they would come into the Plant City and Tampa area. His collection has grown to over 400 artists such as George Strait, Tracy Byrd, Charlie Daniels, Keith Urban, and Florida Georgia Line to name a few. One of Bill’s favorite stories was to tell about going to the Strawberry Field on Hwy 60 in Valrico and getting a flat of strawberries and taking it to Hazel Daniels, she just loved those strawberries.

Bill will in staying at Bushnell Veterans Cemetery at Bushnell Florida with his wife Carolyn Elaine. He requested no service but would like any donations to go to The Florida Boys and Girls Club which was one of Hazel and Charlie Daniels favorite charities.