Walter Ballew Goldsby
On December 29, 2024, Walter Ballew Goldsby (Walt) passed away in Roanoke, Virginia. He was 56 years old.
Born in Huntsville, Alabama, on March 30, 1968, to William D. Goldsby, Jr. and Sidney Goldsby, he attended schools in Huntsville and Springfield, Virginia. While living in Northern Virginia, he was an accomplished swimmer, nationally ranked and the winner of several Northern Virginia Swimming League All-Star medals as well as the holder of local club records, one of which still stands.
The family moved to Satellite Beach, Florida, where Walt served as Vice-President of the class of 1986 at Satellite High School. A talented athlete, he was twice named to the Florida All-State soccer team (midfield) and once to the All-Conference football team (wide receiver).
Walt was a graduate of Clemson University and a proud supporter of the Clemson football team and loved attending games at the famous Death Valley stadium. He was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and maintained contact with many fraternity brothers for the remainder of his life. He graduated in 1990 with a degree in Industrial Management.
Walt's professional career included positions at the Pillowtex Corporation in Marietta, Georgia, and the Atlanta Merchandise Mart in Atlanta, Georgia, where he served as Director, Retail Relations of the Home Textile Center. He later moved to Greensboro, North Carolina, and held the position of Vice-President of Leasing at the High Point Merchandise Mart, where he was responsible for leasing the entire 2.2 million square feet of permanent showroom and temporary exhibit space at the High Point facility. Later in life, Walt embraced a new career as a professional caddie. His golfing expertise made him much in demand as a caddie for a country club in Vero Beach, Florida, in the winters and the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia in the summers.
Walt was a generous host and especially enjoyed grilling and producing delicious meals for his guests. He was a good friend to many and a loving son, brother, and uncle. He was predeceased by his father and is survived by his mother, brother Keenan Goldsby (Germaine), and nieces Jessica McCullough (Sean) and Megan Goldsby. He leaves behind his loving companion, Dana Manos. Walt and Dana were building a life in Eagle Rock, Virginia, where they found ways to make even the simplest excursions exciting.
The family will be holding a private service.
Donations may be made in Walt's memory to The American Civil War Museum, acwm.org or The Botetourt Country Historical Society, P.O. Box 468, Fincastle, VA 24090.
