Walter Aldrich Spiro

Montgomery-Walter Spiro, a long time resident of Montgomery, Alabama, passed away peacefully at home on December 23, 2022, as a result of heart failure. Walter, who was affectionately known as “Papa” by all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, died at the age of 95.

Walter Adrich Spiro was born June 10, 1927 in Birmingham, Alabama, and was the son of the late Walter Aaron and Freddie Truslow Spiro. His family later moved to Gadsden, Alabama, where he attended and graduated from Gadsden High School. It was there that he met and later wed his high school sweetheart Jean Dunn. They remained happily married for over 72 years. He attended Vanderbilt University for two years, and then later completed his B.S. degree from Auburn University.

One of Walter's earliest occupations was serving as a radio and TV host at WCOV in Montgomery for various programs, including a weekly country/western varity show where he was known as “ The Colonel of Corn,” showcasing such guests as Hank Williams, Sr. After leaving that profession he served as a local insurance agent for several years. It was during that time that Walter got heavily involved in community services, including his work with the Headstart Program and the Civitan Club. During his many years of Civitan service he held every office in the Montgomery chapter including Vice-President and President. Then he went on to serve at the state level as District Governor and Governor to the International Conference. Walt ended his professional career at Faulkner University as an Educational Counselor in the Talent Search Program. There he helped many deserving high school students with limited financial resources get college scholarships and other financial aid.

But for many children and their families in the Montgomery area Walter was best known as “Santa.” For over five decades he was a professional Santa Claus. He appeared in the front window at the old Montgomery Fair Store in the Eastbrook shopping Center and he worked parties and functions at Montgomery Country Club, the Blue-Gray Football Banquet and many other venues around the city. The “REAL” Santa never had a better helper than Walt.

It should also be noted that Walter was one of the founding members of the Dalraida Church of Christ, faithfully serving that church as a deacon for 65 years, as Sunday school teacher, as group leader, and he even preached once or twice! Most importantly, however, he was a wonderful, devoted husband and a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather. Not only was he a Christian example to others, but also someone who could play a mean game of Bridge, Dominoes, and Rook! He was loved and respected by all who knew him, and he will be truly missed.

Walt is survived by his two daughters Debra S. Murphy (Jim) and Teri S. Phillips (Eddie), his four grandchildren Erin M. Carpenter (James), Whitney P. Brooks, Preston E. Phillips (Celeste), and Troy Murphy (Morgan). In addition, he is survived by his sister Betty Jean Blackwood, sister-in-law JoAnne Joyce, and great grandchildren Ashley J. Carpenter, James Carpenter Jr., and Mattie Grace Brooks, along with a number of cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Jean D. Spiro and his infant granddaughter Ashley Kaitlyn McLain.

Funeral services will be held at the Dalraida Church of Christ on Friday, December 30, 2022 at 11:00 AM, with visitation held one hour prior. A graveside service will follow at Alabama Heritage Cemetery. Presiding ministers will be Claude Flynn and Bob McKee. Pallbearers will be Larry Stowe, Dennis Campbell, Sam Dendy, Chip McEwin, Cleo Babies and Bernard (Sarge) Lewis. Honorary pallbearers will be the elders at the Dalraida Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers, donations in Walt's name can be made to your favorite charity or the Faulkner University Scholarship Fund. The family also wants to acknowledge deep appreciation to Cleo Babies and Sarge Lewis and special nurse Jaunia Pearson and staff members at Kindred Hospice who all made it possible for Walt to spend his last days with his family and friends surrounding him daily with love, and seeing that his medical needs were met at home.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AlabamaHeritageFH.com for the Spiro family.