Walton “Walt” Lewis McGhin
February 28, 1946 – November 3, 2025
A celebration of life service to honor Walton “Walt” Lewis McGhin, age 79, of Valdosta, GA, will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Valdosta Elks Lodge, 2309 US-84, Valdosta, GA 31601. The family will have a private family interment in Greenwood Cemetery, Cairo, GA. Mr. McGhin passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, November 3, 2025.
Mr. McGhin was born on February 28, 1946, in Valdosta, GA, to the late Lyle E. McGhin, Sr. and Ivadine Beatty McGhin. He served his country in the United States Air Force. On July 17, 1970, he married Leslie Thoreson McGhin. They have been married for 55 years. Walt worked for over 30 years before his retirement as a letter carrier with the United States Postal Service. He then went to work for the Medicine Shoppe pharmacy for 10 more years. Walt became a devoted member of BPOE Elks 728 and NALC Branch 998, where he found his role as Santa Clause. Riding into the lodge parking lot full of children on the back of a fire truck as if it was headed to a Five Alarm Fire, was one of his greatest joys in life! Walt was a true outdoorsman, who enjoyed being in the field or on the water, the thrill of the chase was everything to him. He was a member of the Messiah Lutheran Church in Valdosta.
Survivors include: his wife, Leslie T. McGhin of Valdosta, GA; his sons, Jason McGhin (Laurie) of Cairo, GA, Phillip McGhin (Pinckney) of Valdosta, GA, Adams McGhin of Valdosta, GA; grandchildren, Erin McGhin Hayes (Jake) of Whigham, GA, Ethan McGhin of Cairo, GA, Evan McGhin of Cairo, GA, Jed McGhin of Valdosta, GA, Sam McGhin of Valdosta, GA; brother, Lyle McGhin (Annie) of Valdosta, GA; brothers and sisters-in-laws, Bill Kell (Tina ) of Canton, GA, Mark Thoreson (Sandi) of Hayesville, NC, Ross Thoreson of Cairo, GA; and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.
He was preceded in death by: his parents; a son, Jason Llye McGhin; and a brother-in-law, Robert Burns.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mr. McGhin’s memory to: Valdosta Elks Lodge Christmas Basket fund, 2309 US-84, Valdosta, GA 31601; or a breast cancer foundation of your choice.
