Name: Leak Memory Chapel
Address: Montgomery, AL

I still miss you and think about you often.
I look forward to seeing you again in heaven.
Mark Collins

You are not forgotten. I think of you often and look forward to seeing you in the next world.
Mark Collins

I knew Walter for over 30 years. I first met him at a Sunday School class at Christ the Redeemer Episcopal Church in Montgomery around 1990. During the class, I heard a voice behind me offering deep, meaningful, theological statements - I thought those words must be coming from a seasoned visiting preacher. It turned out to be Bunky. Then about 20 years ago,  he joined our small Wednesday morning Promise  Keepers breakfast devotional group. He remained with us to the end. I would often talk about spiritual things with him on the phone at least once every two weeks or so. He confided in me about his family. He was so proud of his daughter and grandson. He greatly appreciated all the help his nephew Brandt and his wife Hayden so consistently provided. And he had a close,  endearing, relationship with his sister, Vivian, who would sometimes call him when we were at Chappy’s for our weekly breakfast. He loved his entire family and spoke often of them. 
In all, Walter was a man of God and I and those in our group consistently learned important spiritual lessons from him year in and year out. He will be missed. 
Jerry Tonnell

Bunky was my best friend when we were little kids growing up on Meadow Lane Drive in Montgomery. We were born one day apart. We did all the things little boys do and had a wonderful place to enjoy life on that "dead end" street. Climbing trees, playing in a creek, catching tadpoles, etc.  My family left Montgomery when I was in the 4th grade, but Bunky and I stayed in touch and I came back in 1964. We reunited our friendship, but Bunky was a year behind me at Lanier because he had missed so much school one year due to a broken leg. We remained good friends and would see each other from time to time until I went off to Alabama. After that, employment took me away from Montgomery, but I would always try to see him when I was back there visiting relatives. We always exchanged birthday and Christmas cards.  Anyway, we always had that special bond from our childhood and I am so saddened that we have lost such a wonderful soul.  Love you, Bunky.

Bunky was always a huge part of my family.  He came over early in the morning to go fishing with my grandfather Coma Deas and my two brothers. They would be gone all day fishing.  When they came home I would run outside in my church dress to see all the fish they caught in the bucket. I would grab the fish out of the buck in my dress and my granfather would get so mad and tell me to go inside the house.  I would run to Bunky and he would take me inside and I would sit on his lap watching cartoons.  We stayed there until grandma finished cooking our big fish dinner.  Bunky always stayed over for dinner and we had so much fun laughing and talking.  I would always call him my Uncle Bunky.  We would also go on trips to the zoo with Bunky and my aunt June and mom.  We would go to the petting zoo and feed the animals and laugh. Then we all would go back home to grandma's house for another big dinner together. We loved to wait until night time when the lightning bugs came out. We would spend all night out there catching lightning bugs. He will always have a special place in my heart as Uncle Bunky. I will always remember his laugh and his big hugs. 

Bunky was my friend. He and I had so many adventurers growing up on a dead end street called Meadow Lane Dr., Montgomery, AL.  I still have a scare on my eyebrow from us during Christmas terrorizing the neighborhood with M-80's and Cherry Bombs. In fact his dad Walter Sr. used to get up the neighborhood on Christmas by throwing Cherry Bombs down the street at 5:00 AM telling our parents to get their butts out of bed time to do Christmas. One of those Cherry Bomb's shrapnel hit me in the eyebrow and embedded. I had to have his Uncle Dr. Robert Ashurst meet me at his office to remove the shrapnel and stitch me up. All good times in the life of Clyde and Bunky.  Bunky and I used to hunt doves together in a field  near his new house on Croom Dr. Both of us were in our teens with shotguns, Can you image these days. Bunky had an old Cushman scooter that we had to push start. One day in the black area off Union St. some locals black kids decided they did not like us and started chasing us. You have never seen two white boys running that fast to get that scooter going and jump on. One day a bully came to Meadow Lane looking for me. I must of been about 16 at the time and Bunky and were together when he showed up. He started pushing me when Bunky lite a pack of firecrackers and put them into his black leather jacket. We never saw that old boy in the neighborhood again. I left Montgomery in 1973 and have not been back. During the last 10 years Bunky and I talked on the phone and he and I always talked about God. He loved the Lord as I do and we encouraged each other. I will miss my friend that died too young, but being in heaven on the golden streets I guess I am a little jealous. Bunky we will meet again.

Whenever I needed a prayer warrior, Bunky was there to pray with me. He had powerful prayers.  I pray for him now, even though I know he is in Gods loving care. No one was more dedicated to Jesus. God  bless you Bunky.

Vivian and the Ashurst family, my sincerest sympathy for the loss of Bunky.  I have wonderful memories of Bunky from long ago.  Always a smile on his face and joy in his heart.  He was a fun-loving guy, loved his family, loved Auburn and loved his friends. I will always treasure my memories!  May our good Lord grant you comfort and strength during these days.  

My memories of Bunky are vast. If I could narrow it down to who he was would be this: Bunky loved the Lord, He loved people, and wanted them to know the Lord. He had an infectious laugh and heart. He was the epitome of Love! I am forever grateful to have known him for all these years. He made me smile every time I was around him, and spoke truth into my life, as well as, many others! He ran the race and now is at home in Glory!

I have many great memories of Hunting ,Fishing, Church Activities , Family Activities ,Traveling ( all the way to Kansas City).Bunky and I prayed,laughed,and cried many times together. He was nine years older than I so he knew me before I knew him.I have not know many people that  are as honest and upfront about their Faith in Christ as Walter. He was known and loved by multitudes of people.


I am so sorry for your loss I have distinct memories of Bunky's thoughtfulness and expressions of kindness towards Ercelle Hawes  

We all loved Bunky.  He had the most loving and sweet soul imaginable.  He showed the love of Jesus in everything he did and said.  We will miss him tremendously in our family gatherings.  His love of Jesus made everybody around him feel comforted and joyful.

Mr. Walter, was the sweetest most kindest person I have ever meet. I will miss his phone calls and him walking into my office. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family. 

I am so sorry to hear about Bunky.  He was such a sweetheart.  Last time I saw him was at Judy’s funeral. He was too young to die.  My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

OBITUARY

Walter Thomas Ashurst, Jr.

September 11, 1949 – January 22, 2021

Leak Memory Chapel

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