Reverend Walter Dale Edwards was born at home in Plant City, FL on
September 14, 1934, to Jesse Byrd Edwards and Mary Mildred Lane
Edwards, the fifth of five children. He was married to Iris Carroll, of Pavo,
Georgia on June 9, 1962. Children born to this union are William Lee
Edwards, November 24, 1966; and Iris Dail Edwards, September 2, 1971.
He was baptized in the First Methodist Church of Plant City, where
he grew up, singing in both youth and adult choirs, and participating in
Methodist Youth Fellowship, including summers at the Youth Camp. In
junior high school, he saw a movie about Pierre and Marie Curie and
decided he wanted to be a scientist. Though his life took a different turn,
he maintained an interest in science throughout his life. At the age of 15,
he committed his life to Christ and subsequently answered a call to
ministry. For over 50 years, he lived out that call in The United Methodist
Church.
Upon graduation from Plant City High School in 1952, he attended Asbury College, graduating in 1956, with a major in history with a minor in psychology. At Candler School of Theology, Emory University, he majored in church history, graduating in 1959. He was ordained a deacon in 1959 by Bishop John Branscomb, and elder by Bishop Arthur Moore in 1961.
Appointments in the Florida Conference were Pompano Beach First, Associate, 1959-1961; Grace, West Palm Beach, 1961-1966; Tallahassee, Trinity, Associate, 1966-1968; Madison, 1968-1973; Cutler Ridge, 1973 1979; Orange Park, First, 1979-1986; Pompano Beach, First, 1986-1993; Ft. Myers, First, 1993-1998; Leesburg District Superintendent, 1998-2002. Upon retirement in 2002, he served a brief interim appointment at St. Paul's in Ocala in 2005, and as a retired supply at Altoona in Lake County for three years, 2005-2008.
He enjoyed twenty years of retirement, working, and playing at his beautiful home on the edge of the Ocala National Forest, preaching, teaching, mentoring, reading, studying, and writing.
Death came on July 22, 2022, following complications of open-heart surgery. He was surrounded by an incredible group of friends, singing and praying at his bedside. Due to Covid restrictions, his memorial service was held on November 6, at First United Methodist Church in Ocala, with Rev. Anne Fuquay, Rev. June Edwards, Rev. Michael Beck, and Pastor Miquell Mack participating. It was a beautiful celebration.
Surviving is his wife of 59 years, Iris; his son Bill, of Orange Park; and daughter Dail, of Atlanta. "He died in good old age, full of days...and honor." - I Chronicles 29:28