Walter E. Caldwell

Walter E. Caldwell, Jr., age 90, resident of Memphis died on December 18, 2007 at home after a brief illness.

Services were held at 11 A.M. on Friday, December 21, 2007 at Idlewild Presbyterian Church. A private interment was in the Old Union Cemetery in the Laconia Community of Fayette County.

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, he left the University of Louisville in 1942 to join the 3rd Infantry Division. He served overseas for three years, and returned to finish his degree at the University of Missouri. Mr. Caldwell was a retired sales manager at American Freight Systems.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Anne Freeland Caldwell, two daughters, Betsy Lewis (Jim) of Somerville and Mary Kay Caldwell of Memphis; son John Caldwell of Memphis; sister Helen Holditch of Hilton Head; three grandchildren, Ginny Watson (Darrin) and Emily Lewis of Memphis, Simon Caldwell of Catania, Italy and lifelong friends, the Thomas Salvate family of Louisville.

Mr. Caldwell was a longtime member of Idlewild and served as an elder there. After retirement, he chaired a tutoring program at Central High School, and later tutored at Idlewild Elementary. He and his wife were charter members of the Friendship Force Club of Memphis, and one of their great pleasures was hosting dozens of houseguests from all over the world. They also loved to travel, visiting over 30 countries throughout their retirement. Walt was an avid bridge player, loved University of Louisville basketball, and took up fly fishing in his mid-80's. He has said his greatest claim to fame was having two hole-in-ones in one round of golf at Gallaway Golf Course in 1992.

The family requests that any memorials be sent to Idlewild Presbyterian Church, 1750 Union Ave., Memphis, TN 38104, or a charity of the donor's choice.