Walter Burchett McGee

Rev. Walter B. McGee, 81, of Newburgh, Indiana, died Sept. 10, 2018.

He was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on Aug. 10, 1937. When a student at Western Kentucky University studying to be a research chemist, Walter felt the call to ministry. Through the Wesley Foundation and under the guidance of Lewis Ricketts, the director, he pursued and obtained his credentials as an ordained minister in the Methodist Church on May 28, 1964. During this time, he served churches in Edmonson County and in Allen County. 

He met his wife, Pat, at the Wesley Foundation and they were married in February 1961. While a student in Vanderbilt Divinity School they welcomed their son, Walter Todd, into their family. Upon graduation from seminary in May 1964, he was appointed director of the Wesley Foundation at Western. This was an extremely rewarding experience that culminated in lifelong friendships until the day he passed. 
After 16 years in this appointment, he served as chaplain at Community Methodist Hospital in Henderson for eight years. He retired after 25 years of service in the Louisville Conference and pursued his ministry as a pastoral counselor until joining the Henderson County school system as director of a Family Resource Center in one of the elementary schools helping at-risk children. At that time he also became pastor of Baskett Christian Church in Henderson County, where he served for 24 years.

Walter’s greatest passion outside of his ministry was restoring and repairing antique clocks. He personally collected several hundred. He was also fascinated by coins and strived to collect at least one coin from every country in the world.

Walter served as God’s messenger in each phase of his ministry, and he was loved and respected by those people whom he served. He gave so much of himself to others while still being a loving husband and father. He is greatly missed by those who loved him.

A memorial service for Walter was held at First United Methodist Church, Henderson, on Sept. 15, 2018, with Dr. Hollis Marshall officiating. David Crafton, a friend, also spoke representing the Lions Club, of which Walter was a member for 38 years. Burial was Sept. 22, 2018, at Alexandria Cemetery, Alexandria, Kentucky, officiated by Rev. Roger Dill, a Western Wesley Foundation alumnus.