Obituary of Walter A. Hand

Mr. Walter Albert Hand, Sr., age 75, died Monday morning, June 15, 2009, at his home following an extended illness. Funeral services will be 11:00 A. M. Wednesday, June 17, 2009, from Westview Heights United Methodist Church with Reverend Russell Burleson and Reverend Dr. Thomas Leggett, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Westview Memorial Cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. Mr. Hand's body will be placed in the Church one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4:00 P. M. until 6:00 P. M. Tuesday evening. Mr. Hand was born July 26, 1933 in Columbia, Alabama to the late T. B. Hand and Claudine Monroe Hand. In 1913 Mr. David Arthur Walden started the first Ford dealership in Henry County in Headland, Alabama. He was appointed to the dealership by Mr. Henry Ford himself. In 1926 Mr. David Arthur Walden died and in 1949 Walden Motor Company reorganized by incorporating under the ownership of Mr. Walden's son, Mr. Arthur David Walden. Mr. Arthur D. Walden also had Ford dealerships in Hartford, Dothan, Abbeville, and Ozark. In 1958 Mr. Arthur D. Walding's son-in-law, Mr. Walter Albert Hand, Sr., was brought on board and the company was reorganized as Walter Hand Motor Company, and was owned by Walter and his wife Gwendolyn. In 1982 Walter Hand Jr. joined his father at the dealership although Mr. Hand remained at the dealership on a daily basis until his death. Walter and Gwen also owned the All American Inn in Ozark, part owner of the Best Western in Dothan, and also had other business and real estate interest. Mr. Hand will be greatly missed at the Ford dealership and by his many friends and family. "We love you Moose McDoogle," Heather and Brittany. "Thanks Dad for being my best friend and the greatest teacher-I love you," Walter Jr. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Gwendolyn Walden Hand on June 5, 2009, his son, David Arthur Hand on February 3, 1996 and his brother, Tommy Hand. Survivors include two daughters, Kathryn A. Hand of Skipperville, and Deborah A. Hand of Headland; one son and daughter-in-law, Walter A. Hand, Jr. and Ramona Hand of Ozark;