Walter Thomas Broyhill

Walter Thomas Broyhill, age 87, passed peacefully on December 29, 2022, after a valiant fight with COPD. Walter was born on February 2, 1935 in Moravian Falls, North Carolina to Dewey S. and Janie L. Broyhill. 

If you knew Walter, you loved Walter. He was a kind and gentle person, who loved a good joke. He had a booming voice; when he entered the room, chances are you knew it. Walter was preceded in death by his eldest sister Ann Patterson of Dobson, North Carolina. He is survived by 5 brothers and sisters: Mildred Ashley of Yadkinville, NC; Herbert Broyhill and wife, Jane, of Connelly Springs, NC; Francis Bryson and husband, Gene, of Collettesville, NC; L.C. Broyhill of Moravian Falls, NC; and Linda Broyhill of Yadkinville, NC. He is also survived by Hilda Broyhill of Wilkesboro, NC, 11 nieces and nephews, and many great-nieces and great-nephews. 

He was a 1959 graduate of Appalachian State Teachers College, where he majored in Biology, was a member of Beta Beta Beta Honorary Biological Fraternity and was student body president. He also earned his M.A. and EdS from Appalachian. Walter taught chemistry and physics for 8 years at Appalachian High school and Watauga High school once the two merged. The student body at AHS dedicated the 1962 yearbook to him. He then transitioned to the offices of the Wilkes County Board of Education. He started his career there as a high school supervisor and then he was appointed the Director of Staff Development and Personnel, a title he still held when he retired in 1997. He spent 38 years in the field of public education. Upon his retirement, Walter volunteered with several organizations in and around Wilkes County. He was a member of the Elks Lodge where he spent time as the Exalted Ruler and Treasurer. Walter was on the board of the Ruby Pardue Blackburn Adult Day Health Care center and the Wilkes Community Partnership for Children. He also spent time volunteering with Wilkes Literacy and with the Diagnostic Center at Wilkes Regional Medical Center. Walter loved music, loved to travel and visited many places the world over. He recently established Walter T. Broyhill scholarships at Appalachian State University and at Wilkes Community College. 

Private graveside services will be held. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Appalachian State University Science Department, PO Box 32014, Boone, NC 28608-201 or Wilkes Community School of Nursing, PO Box 120, Wilkesboro, NC 28697. 

Online condolences may be made to www.reinssturdivant.com.

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