Henry Walston

Henry Hyman Walston IV, 76, of Wilson died, peacefully, February 14, 2025. 

Henry was a graduate of Ralph L. Fike High School and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he was a member of Zeta Psi Fraternity. While in college, Henry spent summers as a waiter in Nantucket. He joined the Naval Reserve during his senior year and served two years of active duty at the U.S. Naval Operations Base in Bermuda. After his Naval service, Henry returned to Wilson and joined the family automotive parts business. He retired after 43 years.

The happiest days of Henry’s life were when his wife, Betty Lou, accepted his proposal and the day his son, Kirk, arrived in Wilson. Other highlights of Henry’s life were the day the Boston Red Sox broke the curse of the Bambino by winning the 2004 World Series and the day the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park was dedicated. 

Henry spent many happy times in Nantucket, Bermuda, and New Orleans but loved his hometown the best.

Henry is predeceased by his father, H. H. Walston III; his first cousins, Winniett Peters, Jr., Bert Walston, Jr., Ruth Walston Harris, and Sandy Kirkland Haidinger; and most recently his lifelong friend, David Woodard. 

He is survived by his wife, Betty Louise Walston; son, Kirkland Stringer Walston; mother, Martha Kirkland Walston; and sisters, Martha Kirkland Walston and Jean Walston Neese and husband, Johnny. He is also survived by his nephews, Henry Coble Neese and Jack Walston Neese, and his niece, Martha Walker Neese. Henry was a member of a large extended family.

The family is thankful for Henry’s caregiver and friend, Carlos Burks. 

Funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church in Wilson, 100 Green Street NE at 11:00 am, Tuesday, February 18th. Interment will follow immediately at Maplewood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park and Museum, P.O. Box 6161, Wilson NC 27893. https://www.wilsonwhirligigpark.org/donate

Arrangements by Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Dr. N, Wilson, (252) 237-7171; www.wilsonmemorialservice.com