WALTER LEIGH SILVERBERG, Sr. was born on October 25, 1934 in Dallas, Texas, to parents Lillie Mae Johnson and J.C. Silverburg, the youngest of five children. He graduated in 1953 from Booker T. Washington High School, where he met the love of his life, Willie Mae Lee. Soon after graduating, Walter and Willie Mae were married, and started a family. To their union were born three daughters and one son.
He was a faithful member of Golden Gate Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorates of Rev. L.R. Lockridge, Rev. C.B.T. Smith, and Rev. Vincent T. Parker. In 2000, he became a charter member of Greater Golden Gate Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Fabian K. Jacko, Pastor. At Golden Gate, he sang in the Men’s Chorus and participated in the Audio Visual (A/V) ministry.
Walter Sr. was always an energetic man and a hard worker. While working at First National Bank of Dallas, he obtained advanced training from the American Institute of Banking, attending classes at night following long days of work. He retired from the bank with more than twenty-five years of service. Following his retirement, he distinguished himself in the A/V industry. Sr. is known by A/V technicians throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex for his excellence, leadership and hard work. He has been a mentor to a generation of Audio Visual professionals. He was also known for outworking the people he mentored, many of whom were several decades younger.
Walter Sr. was the sort of man who never met a stranger. He never hesitated to embrace new friends and colleagues with stories and pearls of wisdom. Friends and colleagues speak constantly of his memorable statements and he was a highly-valued mentor. Although he was known for working hard, he also played hard. If he was not working inside, he was outside landscaping, grilling, tinkering in the garage, or sitting outside—always with a high-volume fan—“enjoying the Texas heat.” He also loved to play pool, which was a fond memory for everyone who visited his home, especially his grandchildren. He was also a music lover, and he could frequently be found singing and practicing his guitar.
He was preceded in death by: mother, Lillie Mae Johnson; father, J.C. Silverburg; brother, L.J. Silverburg; sister, Mattie Lee Daniels; daughter, Linda Rhea Jordan; and grandson, Kerrick J. Silverberg.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory: wife, Willie Mae Silverberg; son, Walter Leigh Silverberg, Jr. (Eunice); daughters, Cathy Silverberg Benjamin and Karen Silverberg White (Dwayne); brother, Robert Silverburg; sister, Mary Lois Mayes; grandchildren, Tameka Lockett, Krishna Johnson, Kory Johnson, Trey Johnson, Christopher Silverberg, Stephen Silverberg, Vanessa White, and Alicia White; five great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and a host of relatives and friends to mourn his loss.
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