Walter McGehee, 90, of Owensboro passed away peacefully on April 12th, leaving behind a legacy of dedication, love and service.
The McLean County native was born January 23rd, 1936 to the late Bernard McGehee and Hannah Rightmeyer. He was married to Barbara Nell Higgs on December 29th, 1954.
Walter was a proud veteran of the United States Navy, a chapter of his life he held in the highest regard. His service to his country remained one of his greatest accomplishments and a source of lifelong pride. During his Naval career, Walter had the opportunity to see the world and travel with his beloved wife Barbara across the United States, creating memories that would last a lifetime. They often reminisced about the wonderful times they shared in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Newport, Rhode Island, Portland, Oregon and Great Lakes, Illinois. Retiring after a 20-year stint in the Navy, Walter and his family returned to Rumsey, Kentucky where he worked at Owensboro Regional Hospital in the maintenance department and at Big Rivers before retiring to spend time with his family.
He was the beloved husband of Barbara McGehee, with whom he shared an extraordinary 71 years of marriage. Their love was marked not only by devotion, but by a deep, lifelong friendship and a passion for spending time together. Walter and Barbara cherished their trips to the lake, enjoyed many rounds of golf and made it a priority to visit the ocean as often as they could. Wherever they went, they went side by side.
Walter is survived by his wife Barbara Higgs McGehee of Owensboro, Kentucky; a daughter, Julie Mann of Owensboro, Kentucky; 2 grandchildren: Kelsey Peacock (Jared) of Owensboro, Kentucky and Dylan Mann (Brenda) of Calhoun, Kentucky; 1 great-grandson, Jackson Peacock, and 1 great-granddaughter arriving soon.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard McGehee and Hannah Rightmeyer; sister, Toni White and brother, Ernest McGehee; mother and father-in-law, Melvin & Lucille Higgs; and a brother-in-law, Kenneth Higgs.
Walter will be remembered for his strength of character, his steady presence and his deep love for his family. He lived a life grounded in loyalty, service and quiet integrity. His memory will carry on through the family he loved so deeply and the example he set for generations to come.
Funeral services will be at 2:00pm on Friday, April 17th, 2026 at James H. Davis Funeral Home & Crematory. Burial with military honors will follow the service at Worthington Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Sacramento, KY. Visitation will be from 4:00pm to 6:00pm on Thursday and from 12:00pm until the time of the service on Friday at the funeral home.
The family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Wesleyan Heights United Methodist Church, 1215 Scherm Rd, Owensboro, KY 42301 or the Women’s Veterans Monument “She’s the Vet” honoring female veterans past, present, and future: ODCVA, 117 18th Street #147, Owensboro, KY 42303.