Henry Waltman

Henry Colonel Waltman - a native of Semmes, AL and a lifelong resident of Mobile, AL - passed away Thursday, May 21, 2020 at his home in Mobile with his son by his side. Mr. Waltman had recently celebrated his 100th birthday on April 8, 2020. He is survived by his son Gary H. Waltman (Sandy) of Mobile; three grandchildren, Joshua Waltman and Jeremy Waltman, both of Mobile and Erin Waltman DeLaney (Matthew) of Birmingham, AL; two great grandchildren, Mary Afton and Virginia DeLaney of Birmingham; and one niece, Sharon Chisolm of Ocala, FL. He was preceded in death by Myrtle Giles Waltman, his loving wife of 57 years; his parents, Henry Arnold and Mary Lenora Waltman; his brothers, Arnold O. Waltman and James I. Waltman; and a sister, Laura Ann Waltman Jenkins.

Mr. Waltman graduated from Murphy High School in Mobile in 1937. He went on to join the U.S. Army Air Corp 17th Bomb group and 432nd Bomb Squadron in October 1941 where he served both in North Africa and the European Theatre until September 1945. During the war he spent most of his time on the B-26 Marauder as a flight engineer and gunner. He received several decorations including French Distinguished Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with one Silver Star and three Bronze Stars, and Distinguished Unit Badge. He often could be overhead telling stories of his time in the war. Mr. Waltman remained a proud veteran of World War II until his recent passing.

After returning from the war, Mr. Waltman continued his role as an airplane mechanic and engineer at Brookley Air Force Base in Mobile until its closing in 1969. He and Myrtle went on to open their own hobby shop in Mobile after this.

Mr. Waltman’s experiences in the war sparked a lifelong interest in aviation, leading him to become a founding and lifetime member of both the Azalea City Model Aeronautics Club in Irvington, AL and the Lower Alabama Radio Control Club at the Battleship in Mobile. He fondly formed many long-lasting friendships in these groups and truly cherished his time on Sundays and Wednesdays at the field flying.

During his one-hundred years, Mr. Waltman’s steadfast faith in God guided him through his many different life experiences. His family and friends can confirm that he touched many lives in many different ways. At the end of his life, he was surrounded by his family and blessed with loving caregivers; his family is forever grateful for Carolyn, Eric, D and Jalanda. He will appropriately be laid to rest on Memorial Day.

A visitation will be held at Mobile Memorial Gardens on Monday, May 25, 2020, from 9:00 am - 10:00 am. A graveside service will follow immediately after at 10:00 am. Condolences may be offered at www.mobilefuneralservice.com