Walter "Buddy" William McMinn

Walter ‘Buddy’ McMinn won his battle with cancer and earned his heavenly reward on Wednesday, June 12.

Buddy was preceded in death by his mother, Thelma Praytor McMinn, his father Vernon ‘Bunny’ McMinn, his brother Vernon McMinn Jr, and his nephew Michael McMinn.

Buddy was a lifelong resident of Fletcher, St John’s Rd and then Williams Rd. He served proudly in the USAF during the Vietnam era and never forgot any of his friends he made during that time.

Buddy worked at Ball Brothers for 30 years and made many lifelong friends and maintained those friendships even after retirement, but one special was his Ball Twin, Bruce Sexton, who he used to prank at work and on fishing trips. We recently found out that he and Bruce and a few more Ball buddies liked to race their cars on 4 lane roads after work. Many of his Ball friends have passed on but he never forgot them or their impact on his life. He retired from Ball and then promptly went back to work. Buddy’s hobby was always working on one project or another and helping others as often as he could. There was not a lot that Buddy couldn’t fix and we will miss that experience and knowledge.

Buddy never met a stranger and had friends all over the world. If you weren’t his friend, you would be soon. Buddy was an avid walker and spent many hours and covered many miles at Fletcher Park with two of his best friends, Danny King and Benny Hylemon. He also loved spending time at his home at Lake Russell and all the fishing trips he went on with friends and family. He was especially thankful for his lake neighbors and friends, Jerry and Alice Higdon who always looked after things in his absence.

Buddy is survived by his wife of 61 years, JoAnn Lindsey McMinn, daughters Donna (Mark) Mueller, Christina McMinn, Amanda (Brandon) McGuire, son Jason (Christina) McMinn and honorary son, Mark Jones. He is also survived his sisters, Jane Peek (Junior), Ruth Baker, Patsy Jones, Phyllis Whitaker (Ted), Martha Dietz (Don) and Camie Robles (Robert) and his brother Calvin McMinn (Marie). He is also survived by many nieces and nephews that he loved as his own.

Buddy’s world was his family, he was always proud of his big family, it made his heart swell with pride, but he made sure to instill kindness, morals, personal responsibility and work ethic in all his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Nothing was better to him than having children, Donna, Tina, Mandy and Jason, grandchildren: Emily, Jayme, Cody (Kaylee), Jordyn (Connor), Cassidy, Casey, AbbyJo, Michael, Easton, Jaison (Micah), Cain (Emily), Cecil and Jorgia and his great grandchildren : Emma, Porter, Phineas, Caleb, Aubree and Turner running around just being kids. He often said he would have every one of them move back home, if it was possible.

It is impossible to capture the love, laughter and the adventures that are the dash between his years. He was an incredible man and we will honor what he taught us and the legacy he built.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:30 AM on Monday, June 17, 2024 at Fletcher First Baptist Church. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00-11:30 AM prior to the service. Burial will follow at Shepherd Memorial Park.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.