Walter "Wally" Wilson Burns

Walter Wilson “Wally” Burns, Jr., 79, of Southside, Alabama, passed away peacefully on May 5, 2026. Born on November 20, 1946, Wally lived a life marked by service, leadership, faith, athletics, and devotion to family and community. The family will receive friends on Sunday, May 10, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. with funeral services immediately following at Southside Baptist Church 3975 Hwy 77 Southside, Alabama 35907. Pastor Joey Jones will officiate, with arrangements under the direction of Collier-Butler Funeral Home.

Wally attended Southside High School and later attended University of Alabama. From an early age, Wally distinguished himself as an exceptional athlete. He was a member of the 1958 and 1959 Gadsden National Little League All-Star Teams, helping lead both teams to State Championships. He also played first base in the 1958 and 1959 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. At Southside High School, Wally excelled in football and basketball. As quarterback and football captain, he demonstrated leadership both on and off the field. In basketball, he earned All-County and All-Area honors during the 1963–1964 and 1964–1965 seasons.

Wally continued his athletic career at Gadsden State Community College on a basketball scholarship and played on the school’s first basketball team during the 1966–1967 season.

His love for sports carried into officiating, where he served as a high school football and basketball official for 22 years and a college basketball official for 12 years. In recognition of his athletic accomplishments and contributions, Wally was inducted into the Southside High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2009 and later into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2025.

Wally proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1968 to 1969 and was a Vietnam Veteran.

Following a 32-year career, Wally retired from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in September 1999.

Dedicated to public service and his love for the City of Southside, Wally was elected to the Southside City Council in October 1996. In October 1999, he was appointed Mayor. He was subsequently elected Mayor in 2000 and re-elected in 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016, serving the citizens of Southside with unwavering dedication and leadership for many years.

Throughout his years of service, Wally held numerous leadership roles. He served as a current member of the Board of Directors for Family Savings Credit Union, President of the Etowah County Mayor’s Association, Board Chairman of the Etowah County Drug Enforcement Unit, Board Member of Etowah County 911 Communications, and Past Chairman of the Gadsden/Etowah Metropolitan Planning Organization. He also served as Vice President of the Alabama League of Municipalities from 2013–2014, President from 2014–2015 and was a member of the Executive Board since 2000.

Outside of his public service, Wally was an avid golfer who spent many years enjoying the game and friendships made at Goodyear Golf Course and Twin Bridges Golf Club.

Most importantly, Wally was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. He was a faithful member of Southside Baptist Church and loved deeply by all who knew him. He also dearly loved his beloved dog, Coco, who brought him great companionship and joy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Lucille Burns; mother-in-law, Roselle Lowe; brothers-in-law, Bill Lowe, Danny Lowe, and Dave Rogers; and great-grandson, Harrison Colegrove.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Retha Lowe Burns; daughters, Gina (Kyle) Chambers, Robyn (Kip) Phillips, and Krista Williams; grandchildren, Kaleigh (Griff) Gordon, Peyton (Adam) Colegrove, Hannah (Julius) Boggus, and Zach Phillips and fiancée Kacey Watts; great-grandchildren, Gray, Elle, and Woods Gordon, and Mary Ann Colegrove; brothers, Joe (Evelyn) Burns and Wayne (Kay) Burns; sisters-in-law, Melba Rogers, Diane Lowe, and Nancy Lowe; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Pallbearers will be Kyle Chambers, Kip Phillips, Zach Phillips, Julius Boggus, Griff Gordon, Adam Colegrove, Hacky Jaggers, Danny Garnett, and Randel Mountain.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Gary Hopper, Tommy Robertson, Wendell Vinson, Richard McGowan, David Dean, Johnny Wetzel, Mayor Scott Reeves, Charles Gilchrist, Mayor Joey Statum, Mayor Larry Means, and Mayor Craig Ford.

The family would also like to express heartfelt appreciation to his former city employees, colleagues from the Alabama League of Municipalities, and his many golfing buddies and Mayors for their friendship and support throughout the years.

A special thank you is extended to the Riverview ICU nurses — Angie, Bess, Allison, Madison, Cody, Ryan, Ariel, Sydney, Kaylee, Teresa, January Blalock, CRNP Staff and Enhabit Hospice — for their compassionate care and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in support of Inclusion Body Myositis research through The Myositis Association at https://www.myositis.org/donate/ or by mail to:

The Myositis Association

Attn: Development Department

6950 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 370