August 23, 2011

Funeral for Walter Russell Graydon, 59, of Decatur was Fri., Aug. 26, at 11 a.m. at Hartselle Heritage Funeral Home with the Rev. Harlon Hood officiating.

Burial was in Hartselle Memory Gardens.

Mr. Graydon died Tues., Aug. 23, 2011, at his residence. He was born June 16, 1952, in Montgomery to Walter Lee Graydon and Myrtice Lucille Mann Graydon.

He was city president for BBVA Compass Bank in Decatur. He was a board member of the Calhoun Community College Foundation and Decatur General Hospital Foundation, a member of the North Alabama Industrial Development Association, Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce and Decatur Rotary Club.

He loved to travel as well as grilling his “famous” steaks and playing cards with his family and friends. He enjoyed life and helping others. Throughout his illness he always said he was blessed to have a loving family and cherished friends.

He will be greatly missed not only by his family and friends, but by the community as well.

He is survived by his wife, Pat McAbee Graydon of Decatur; four sons, Chad Eric Graydon and Patrick Ryan Graydon, both of Somerville, Bradley W. George of Decatur and Glenn George of Hoschton, Ga.; a brother, Jeff Graydon of Atlanta, Ga.; six sisters, Jackie Campbell and husband Robin and Denise Day and husband Gary, both of Somerville, Pam Dobbs and husband Steve of Springhill, Tenn., Linda Robertson and husband Mike and Jerri Osborne and husband Everett, both of Huntsville, and Theresa McCraw and husband Jerry of Wake Forest, N.C.;  father-in-law, Lloyd McAbee of Hartselle; mother-in-law, Ozelle McAbee of Hartselle; two brothers-in-law, Billy McAbee and wife Wanda and Ricky McAbee and wife Charlotte, both of Hartselle; sister-in-law, Jane McAbee of Atlanta, Ga.; six grandchildren, Alexa, Ashlyn, Tyler, Isabella, McKenzie and Samuel.

Pallbearers were Robin Campbell, Gary Day, Steve Dobbs, Mike Robertson, Everett Osborne, Jerry McCraw and Billy McAbee.

Honorary pallbearers were Dr. PJM Reddy, current and former BBVA Compass Bank members of the board of directors—Decatur, David Scott, Dr. Robert Walker, Lee Barron, Lynn Ozier, Morley Denbo, Jim Tucker and Compass Bank officers Clay Vandiver and Steve Nesbitt.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Decatur General Foundation, Hospice of the Valley and Calhoun Community College Foundation.