Walter Clayton Gay, age 80, of Hampton, passed away peacefully on July 6 ^th surrounded by loved ones. Walter was born on October 29, 1941 to Leon and Elsie Gay in Spring Hope, North Carolina. After graduating from Spring Hope High School in 1960, Walter went on to study at The Apprentice School, graduating with multiple honors in 1965. Walter met his sweetheart, Jean Bumgardner, in 1961 at a Halloween party and they were married on July 7, 1962. Walter and Jean went on to have two children, Sandy and Jeff, and were nearly inseparable for a day short of 60 years. Following his graduation from The Apprentice School, Walter worked as a Naval Architect for over 40 years. He retired from AMSEC, LLC in 2007, allowing him more time for fishing, music, sports, and family. Walter and Jean were dedicated members of the Riverdale Gospel Quartet for many years, very active members of Pine Chapel Baptist Church, and Walter was president of the Tidewater Gospel Music Association. More than the sum of his awards and achievements, Walter was a kind man, committed to his family and his community. He was always willing to lend a hand and his level-headed wisdom will be missed by many. Walter was preceded in death by his parent, his brothers L.S. and Millard, and his sister Joyce. He is survived by his wife Jean Gay, children Sandra Johnson and Jeffrey Gay, siblings Jewel Strickland, Rex Gay, and Jenny Alford, children-in-law Alan Johnson and Lisa Gay, grandchildren Matthew Johnson, William Johnson and his wife, Stephanie and Charley Gay, and great-grandchildren Natalie and Finley Johnson. A visitation will be held at Pine Chapel Baptist Church in Hampton at 1:00pm on Monday  July 11, 2022 followed by a memorial service at 2:00pm.

Arrangements by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home