WALTER GLENN BRIDGES

Walter Glenn Bridges, Sr., 91, of Hueytown, Alabama passed away March 6, 2014. He was born May 6, 1922 and was reared in Concord, Alabama. His early schooling was in Concord and he graduated from Hueytown High School. He never missed a day of school. He was serving as a machinist at Pullman Standard when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. He served in the 106th Infantry Division in the Battle of the Bulge and was captured by the Germans in December of 1944. He remained a POW until his release in May of 1945. After his discharge he attended The University of Alabama where he graduated law school. He practiced law until August, 1956 when he became Assistant Deputy Solicitor in the Bessemer division of Jefferson County. He became a Judge in 1961 and served as County Judge and later Circuit Judge. Following retirement he continued to serve as a supernumerary judge for over a decade. Judge Bridges was preceded in death by his parents, Lucian and Melissa Bridges; daughters Julianne Bridges Gibbs and Rebecca Lynn Bridges; brothers Johnny, Leon, and an infant brother; and great-grandson Walter Joseph Bridges. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Barbara; son-in-law Dan Gibbs of Houston,Texas; children Kathy (Danny) Smith of Graceville, Florida, Martha (Gary) Kelley of Spanish Fort, Alabama, Glenn (Sheila) Bridges of Hoover, Alabama, Bobbi (Charlie) Burmester of Decatur, Alabama, and Nancy Bridges of Hueytown, Alabama; and 16 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Judge Bridges was a member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church for over 50 years. He served the Boy Scouts in various capacities; was District Governor of Lions International; past president of Earl Usher YMCA; honored as Outstanding Citizen in Hueytown; elected to the Distinguished Service chapter of the Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity; and was a member of the Alabama Bar Association and the Bessemer Bar Association. He was a member of several veterans’ organizations including the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, American Ex-Prisoners of War and served on the board of directors of the 106th Infantry Division Association. Most importantly, he was a faithful patriarch of the Bridges family, and a follower of Christ. The family wishes to extend thanks to the doctors, nurses and hospice who cared for him, with special thanks to Lorene Isom for her help during these trying times. We would also like to thank our longtime helper and friend Christy Daily and her son Jeromy who have been so faithful to our father and family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Walter Joseph Bridges Fund at the Birmingham Community Foundation, or the charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements will be handled by Peoples Chapel Funeral Home in Hueytown, Alabama, dates and times to be announced. The visitation will be Monday, March 10, 2014, from 9:30 AM until 11:00 AM, at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church. The funeral service will be at the Church at 11:00 AM, with Dr. Billy Harris officiating. Burial will follow at Valhalla Cemetery.

WALTER GLENN BRIDGES

May 6, 1922 - March 6, 2014