Walter Edwards Sr.

Walter Edwards, 92, of Evansville, a loving Father, Grandfather, career Culinary Specialist and twenty-seven year U. S. Army veteran, transitioned from this life on February 22, 2016. Walter met his future bride, Ichi Yamanoi in Yokohama, Japan in 1949 while serving with General Douglas MacArthur’s Army occupation force there. Ichi preceded Walter in death on November 6, 1995. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Chieko McWane, on June 22, 2010.

Walter was born in Evansville on February 26, 1923, to Charles and Beulah Edwards and was the brother to nineteen siblings that included sisters, Marie, Mollie, Pilar, Carmen, Alma, Beulah, Sudie, and Vera, and brothers, Karl, Frank, Charles, Robert, Max, Paul, John, Raymond, Harold, Herbert, and George.

As a career Culinary Specialist, Walter was very passionate about his craft and took great pride working in every aspect of the food services industry. He was a very well-known and appreciated Certified Executive Chef and founding member and former President of the Evansville Chapter of the American Culinary Federation. He was also an instructor at Vincennes University and at Job Corps America in Madisonville, KY. While stationed in Japan, he received awards for the Best Military Dining Facility in Japan and the Best Military Dining Facility in the World in 1970. His assignments while in the Army included several locations in Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and a number of posts in the U.S. Some of his military awards included Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), Korean Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal.

Walter loved his family and is survived by his children, Walter Edwards, Jr. of Evansville, Michael (Natasha) Edwards of Anderson, James Edwards of Phoenix, AZ; son-in-law, Gilbert McWane of Alexandria, VA; grandchildren, Gilbert (Taneil) McWane, Jr., Christine R. (Reginald) Pearson, Michael A. Edwards II, Adam C. (Jessica) Edwards, Thomas (Tara) Edwards, Morgan A. Edwards, Chieko Edwards, and James Edwards, Jr.; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; brothers: George Edwards of Los Angeles, CA and Herbert (Rhoda) Edwards of Evansville; sisters, Sudie Easley of Orange, CA and Vera Gilbert of Evansville; and brother-in-law, Pete Lawrence, of Evansville.