Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, March 26, 1990 TAG: 9003262046
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB MCLELLAND CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Harry C. Walton died Friday at age 67 in a local hospital. Graveside services are scheduled today at 11 a.m. at Evergreen Burial Park for one of Roanoke's most famous sports figures in the late 1930s and early 1940s.
Walton was truly a horse when it came to competing in sports or in life's battles.
In football, Walton was all-state in 1941 as an offensive and defensive back at the now-closed Jefferson High. He was a triple threat, but he always said that a pass, run or kick never gave him as much satisfaction as throwing a block for a teammate or making a jarring tackle.
In track, Walton was the 440-yard state champion. His excellence came from the fact that his attitude made him a winner. He never wanted to get beat or see the back of an opponent while running.
In basketball, he was sixth man on Jefferson's 1941 state championship team. He was not a good shooter, but, as a defender, scoring against him was virtually impossible.
World War II interrupted Walton's collegiate athletic career. In 1942, he was the starting quarterback for the University of Maryland's freshman football team, then he was drafted into the Army in December.
As a soldier, Walton matched his athletic feats. He landed in the invasion of France and fought his way to Germany. He won two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars, received a battlefield commission and was nominated for the Silver Star.
After his military service, he went to Virginia Tech in 1946 and led the Gobblers to the Sun Bowl, their first postseason football appearance. For a while that fall, he led the nation in punting.
After that, by his own admission, life wasn't as good for Walton. His once-trim figure of 155 pounds ballooned to more than 200 pounds, and he endured a variety of physical pains.
Walton retired from Norfolk and Western Railway in 1976 after a stroke.
He also was well-known in local golf circles, especially at Ole Monterey Golf Club, where he once worked as manager.
Despite his later problems, Walton never complained. He always said, "I have done a lot and experienced a lot. I just thank God that I'm still here."
by CNB