Obituary of Walter Gwinn

Walter E. Gwinn Jr, passed away April 21, 2011 at his residence in Palm City, FL. He was born in Quinemont, West Virginia on September 4, 1920. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having been a Captain in the infantry during WWII serving in the South Pacific. He was the recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He married Juanita "Nita" Withrow in Beckley, West Virginia on December 22, 1947. They moved to Miami in 1949 where Walter attended Law School at the University of Miami, graduating with his Law Degree in 1952. Walter had a successful law practice in Miami until his retirement in 1985. In 2007, Walter moved to Palm City to be close to his family.

Walter was and avid fisherman and yachtsman. A serious musician, he often played with Jazz greats in his club, The Vanguard, in Coral Gables, FL

Walter truly lived life to its fullest and enjoyed spending time with good friends, a good drink on the Gypsy Queen and later the Elegant Lady and sitting in his favorite easy chair. If he was not at Dinner Key on his boat, you could find him wetting a line on the island of Chokoloskee. He was also known to hunt a few squirrels and play some cards with his best friends in West Virginia. Walter was affectionately known by family and friends as Smokey, Uncle June and Pops.

He is survived by his son, Walter (Skip) Gwinn III and wife Rita of Palm City, FL; daughters Kathi Cline of Winston Salem, NC and Marilyn Gwinn of Palm Bay, FL; five grandchildren Oakley Blair Cline, Annie Cline, Aaron Gwinn, Katherine Tierney and Sarah Tierney and one great grandchild Orion Gwinn. He was preceded in death by his wife Nita in 2001.

Services and visitation will take place on Saturday April 30, 2011 at Stanfill Funeral Home located at 10545 South Dixie Highway, South Miami, FL. Visitation begins at 11:00AM with the memorial service following at 12:00PM. Interment at Miami Memorial Park Cemetery will be private.

Walter was loved and admired by many and will be missed.