Walter Lee Ponder, Jr. (known to some as Sonny or Big Daddy) entered into rest on Friday, January 23, 2025.
He is preceded in death by mother Neal Farley Watts; father Walter Ponder, Sr, and his wife, Faye Ponder.
Walter is survived by his wife of 68 years, Jo Ann Hunter Ponder (which he met on a blind date in 1955 and fell madly in love with); daughters, Leigh Ann (Dennis) Roark, and Lori (Lyn) Smith; grandsons, Chasen (Taylor) Roark, and Calan Roark; granddaughters, Chloe Gay, and Cayli Gay; great-grandson, Jaxon Roark, and great-granddaughter, Sunny Lee Roark, and Kenny Holt.
He graduated from Du Pont Elementary, Goodlettsville High School, Middle Tennessee State University, and served in the United States Marine Corps. He was a Purchasing agent with E.I. DuPont, retiring with 35 years of service.
Mr. Ponder was a lifelong member of the Goodlettsville Cumberland Presbyterian Church and served as Deacon, Elder, Service Ministry Team Leader and a member of the Challenger Class. He was a member of Goodlettsville Masonic Lodge #271. After retiring in 2000, he volunteered with Second Harvest Food Bank. When 9/11 occurred, he moved to the American Red Cross, which became one of his passions. He worked disasters in Arizona, Hurricanes Charley and Katrina, as well as many local disasters and fires. After his Red Cross years, he volunteered with his GCPC Adult Missions Team on numerous mission trips across the country.
His greatest joys were vacationing on the Gulf Coast with all of the family, family dinners, Friday movies with Jo Ann, and being at every sporting event that every one of his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids ever played in.
Services
Saturday,January 31, 2026
Visitation
11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Forest Lawn Funeral Home
1150 South Dickerson Road
Goodlettsville, Tennessee 37072
Saturday,January 31, 2026
Memorial Service
2:00 pm
Forest Lawn Funeral Home
1150 South Dickerson Road
Goodlettsville, Tennessee 37072
Donations may be made to the Challenger Class, Service Ministry Team, or GCPC Legacy Fund; Goodlettsville Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Memorial Service by Pastor Adam Wheeler.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/goodlettsville-tn
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