Published: July 21, 2009 10:33 am      

Walter Samuel Corrie, Jr.

July 31, 1922 - July 19, 2009 

Walter Samuel Corrie, Jr., 86, of Temple, formerly of San Marcos, passed away surrounded by his family on July 19, 2009.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, July 22 at 11 a.m., at Wilkirson Hatch Bailey Funeral Home in Waco.

Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery in Waco.  Visitation will be today from 6 - 8 p.m at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd, Waco. 

Born and raised in Buffalo, N.Y., Walter graduated from Bennett High School. He attended Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y. and graduated from Baylor University in Waco with Bachelor and Masters Degrees. He began his Doctoral studies at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. and received his PhD from the University of Iowa. A lifelong educator, he taught at Marshall College, University of Iowa, University of Tulsa, University of Chattanooga, Baylor University and Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University).

During World War II, Walter served in the U.S. Army in the 773rd Amphibious Tank Battalion in the South Pacific for four years.

Throughout his life, Dr. Corrie extolled the wonders of travel declaring, "Travel is the world's greatest university."  He traveled extensively to such places as Europe, Mexico, Japan, Turkey, the Greek Isles, Canada and all 50 states.  With his jovial nature, he never met a stranger and was always an ambassador of goodwill.

History and sociology were lifelong interests. Dr. Corrie was actively involved in the Waco Chapter of the Civil War Round Table for many years. During his life, he also contributed his time and talents to Columbus Avenue Baptist Church and First Baptist Church in Waco, Kiwanis Club, San Marcos Area Retired Teachers, the Wimberley Chorus and Ankora Choir, a seniors’ choir at First Baptist Church of Austin of which he was a member.  He was also a gifted public speaker.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter S. Corrie, Sr. and Alice Dunwoodie Corrie; and his wife of 56 years, Shirley Polk Corrie.

He is survived by his daughter, Linda Corrie Davies of Belton; daughter, Melanie Corrie Gilmore and husband, Norbert Alan of Dallas; and grandson Ryan Matthew Gilmore of Dallas; sister-in-law, Marian Polk McKnight of Kansas City, MO; and other extended family.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the American Heart Association, Baylor University or to the charity of your choice.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.

Arrangements by Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home in Waco.