Walter Bennett Young

March 24, 1948 - March 13, 2022

Walter Bennett Young was born March 24, 1948, in Mobile, Alabama to parents, Peter Young and Lealer West Young. After a brief illness, Walter passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 13, 2022. Although the family is deeply saddened by his passing, they rejoice in knowing that he is resting peacefully in his heavenly home. Walter graduated from Central High School in 1966. He was a proud member of the marching band, “The Marching 130” where he played the trumpet. Upon graduating from high school, he attended Tuskegee Institute for a brief period before entering into the Navy for career training in electronics. During his six years of service, he achieved the E4 Rank, was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal and the Bronze Star. He was the only Black/African American in his units the majority of his military tenure. This experience would shape the way that he would later raise his children. Walter’s career started in 1973 with an Electronics Tech Class A Certification from the Navy. This certification prepared him for his successful 34-year career with AT&T where he served as a Communication Technician first in Charlotte and later transferred to Conyers, Georgia. Walter was an outstanding technician called upon to lead critical troubleshooting and testing system projects. He earned an Associate Electronics Engineering Certification and an Associates Business Administration Degree from Central Piedmont Community College. Walter was dedicated to his family. He and his first wife, Doris G. Young were parents of two daughters Erika and LeKeisha. Being the father of his two girls was his greatest joy. He often talked about how nothing at work was more important than being at his children’s school or extracurricular functions. One time he flew back from Chicago to Charlotte to see his daughter stand as one of the 3 wise men in her daycare’s Christmas play. She did not say one word for the entire play, but he was determined to be there. And he was. He was proud of his prioritization of family. He was the same as a grandfather, “Poppy”. He attended every ball game, dance recital, Christmas play, and Grandparents’ Day. Even when encouraged not to attend he was persistent and did not miss anything. He always said, “As long as I am able, I will be there so when the day comes that I cannot be there my grandchildren will always remember that I did it when I could.” In addition to his career at AT&T, Walter had an entrepreneurial spirit. He was the founder of Better Perspective Enterprises Janitorial Services where it operated in Charlotte for over 5 years. After retirement he started his own appraisal company where he was certified in both Georgia and North Carolina. One very important goal for Walter was to ensure his two daughters received a college education. He made it a point to insert the importance of higher education in daily conversations. It was all his girls heard from kindergarten through high school. Walter was not able to complete his first year at Tuskegee due to financial constraints, but he was determined to make sure that did not happen to his girls. His “ladies”. No one was prouder than Walter on each of their college graduation days. He told them, “Once you receive a good education, no one can take that away from you.” Walter was not just proud of his daughters, but he was committed to sharing his passion of higher education. For many years he would host an annual college workshop for all of the youth of his church. He felt that it was important to let the youth around him know that he believed in them even if they did not believe in themselves. After returning to Charlotte, he joined Friendship Missionary Baptist Church and happily served under the leadership of Dr. Clifford A. Jones, Sr. He enjoyed serving with the Brotherhood Ministry, including a literacy tutor for CMS students and as a teacher in the Volunteer Sunday School Class. In addition to his church service, Walter kept busy keeping the Family Reunion, the Orner and Young families organized and connected. He served as President for many years. He also enjoyed playing Bridge as a member of the Jazzy Bridge Club. Walter will long be remembered mostly for his kindness and genuine interest in people when he greeted them, encouraging and extending wisdom to the youth. He had a quiet presence and those who knew him enjoyed his humor and love of life. As a man of humble beginnings, he was living proof that you could make it if you had faith in God and prepared yourself by working hard. In January 2018, he met Rosemary Lunn Lawrence where they were members of the same Bridge Club. They were married April 30, 2021. They were happy together playing Bridge, travelling, going to the theatre, listening to Motown and watching Jeopardy, and mysteries: Hercules Poirot and Columbo. He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Lealer Young, one brother, two sisters and a daughter, Lekeisha Young. Left to cherish his memory are his devoted wife, Rosemary, two daughters: Erika Y. Duncan (Doug) and Kamaria Lawrence; grandchildren, Zoe and Kieran Duncan; one sister, Rosa Mae Macrae of Louisiana; three brothers-in-law, Robert Lunn (Novella), James Lunn (Margaret) of Concord, and Andre Lunn (Angela) of Charlotte; three sisters-in-law, Anne Lunn Leduc, Shirley Lunn Peterle, and Lizz Lunn all of Charlotte; and a long and loving relationship with Fitzmore and Priscilla Duncan; nieces, nephews, and a host of other family members and friends. Donations can be made to the CW Kerry Scholarship Fund at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in lieu of Flowers.