Walter Heckman

HECKMAN, WALTER WARING, JR. died June 26, 2009. Mr. Heckman was born March 8, 1921 in Carthage, TN. He was the son of the late Walter W. Heckman, Sr. and Charlotte Williams Heckman. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Mary Scarborough Heckman, and his brothers, Ira J. Heckman and Donald L. Heckman. He is survived by his daughters, MaryDe Bill Elliston, Ellen Lee Joe Davenport and Amy Ruth Tony Hostettler; grandchildren, Jeff Ann Ligon, Kathryn Goodwin Jason Phillips, Chase, Shannon, and Kenzie Hostettler, Katie Elliston, Elizabeth Elliston Jon Josephson, great-grandson Steven Elliston Ligon and his sister-in-law Norma Scarborough Berry. Mr. Heckman graduated from West End High School in 1939 and was admitted to Vanderbilt University. He went to work for the City of Nashville in 1941 in the Control Tower at Berry Field. He became a Federal employee in 1942 when the Civil Aeronautics Administration assumed operation of the Nashville Tower. He also served the Knoxville Tower and, while in the Army Air Corps in World War II, served the Tower at Jackson Strip Port Moresby, New Guinea and the Eagle Farm Tower at Brisbane, Australia. He has been a member of the American Legion since 1946 serving as Commander of the former Belle Meade Post 45, 6th District Commander and Chairman of the Davidson County Chapter of American Legion Posts. He was active in the Antique Automobile Club of America where he has served as President of the Mid-Tenn Region and elected to the AACA National Board of Directors serving as Vice President of Class Judging among other positions. Membership in AACA allowed Mary and Walter to travel all over the country and establish many strong friendships. He was an active member of Calvary United Methodist Church, a member of the West High Lunch Group, West Nashville Kiwanis, and an avid supporter of the Nashville Library Archives. He appeared on local NPT shows on the history of aviation and the history of baseball in Nashville. Visitation will be from 4-6, Sunday, June 28, 2009 in Master's Common at Calvary United Methodist Church, 3701 Hillsboro Rd. and 1 hour prior to service time on Monday. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 29 at the church with Peter van Eyes officiating. Entombment will follow at Woodland Mausoleum. Gewin Minton, Raymond Nelson and nephews Col. John Mogan, Tom Scarborough, Lee, Karl and Brett Heckman will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Calvary United Methodist Church, Alive Hospice or Habitat for Humanity.