Walter Reid Bumgarner, 84, of Franklin, went home to be with Jesus on Friday, April 9, 2021.

Born in Jackson County, he was the son of the late George Clarence and Lavinia Mann Bumgarner. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, WillaMae Jones Bumgarner; brother, Bill Bumgarner; and a sister, Evelyn Childers.

Walter was a longtime member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church; where he was former Chairman of the Deacons, Sunday School Director and had held numerous other positions within the church. He and his wife WillaMae started Bumgarner Electric in 1969. Walter has helped numerous electricians get their start in the electrician profession. He was a member of the Dogwood Bowling League, loved playing softball and was an avid Dallas Cowboys and North Carolina Tar Heels fan.

He is survived by a daughter, Donna Sanders (Jerry); a son, Jerry Bumgarner (Angie) both of Franklin; four grandchildren, Stephen Sanders, Kaitlin Williams, Alex Bumgarner, and Morgan Bumgarner; and two great grandchildren, Grayson Sanders, and Reid Williams. He also has two sisters, Martha Thelma Arnold, and Dorothy James both of Seneca, SC; and a brother, Earl Bumgarner of Griffin, GA; and numerous nieces and nephews surviving.

Funeral Service will be Thursday, April 15, at 2pm at Ridgecrest Baptist Church. Rev. Guy Duvall and Rev. Steve Reeves will officiate. Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, seating inside the church will be limited, social distancing will be practiced, and masks should be worn, however the service will be broadcast on the church FM transmitter and will be available outside in the church parking lot. Burial will be in the Ridgecrest Baptist Church Cemetery.

There will not be a formal visitation, however Mr. Bumgarner will lie in state on Wednesday, April 14, from 2 pm until 6 pm at Macon Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Stephen Sanders, Alex Bumgarner, Allen Corbin, Mark Dryman, Eddie Robbins, Tommy Bennett, Roy Ashe and Bobby McMahan.

Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons of Ridgecrest Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Ridgecrest Baptist Church.

Online condolences can be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com

Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.