Walter Ander Aldridge, 84, of Blackshear, passed away Thursday, November 27, 2025, at East Georgia Regional Medical Center in Statesboro.
Born in Blackshear September 28, 1941, he had lived most of his life in Pierce County, graduating from Blackshear High School in 1960. He went on to work for Scapa Dryer Industries, Babcock and Wilcox (B & W), B & K Danco, where he became a boilermaker and finally retiring with The Southern Company as a boilermaker. He enjoyed farming and taking care of his pecan orchard. He also enjoyed traveling and fishing. He spent many years enjoying hunting, especially coon hunting, and showing his bluetick hounds. He was a member of St. Johns Community Church.
He was a son of the late Isham Jr. and America Gill Aldridge. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Joyce Blackshear; a son, Walter Lamar Aldridge; all three of his sisters, Kathlene Page, Ruthie Sapp and Doris Rountree; five brothers, Buddy, Grady, Clarence, Leroy and Allen Aldridge and a grandson, Major Blackshear.
Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Jennie Aldridge, Homerville; a brother and sister-in-law, Lonnie and Vera Aldridge, Jacksonville; granddaughters, Ashlee Nicole Aldridge, Alana Danielle Aldridge and Mindie Blackshear (Ryan) Turner; step-grandsons, Jason York and Aaron (Erin) York; great-grandchildren, Aric Bo Norris, Amy Protonentis and Leanna Blackshear; step-great-grandchildren, Isaiah, Westin, Mackenzie, Mahaila, Kinley, Jayden, Joanna and Daisy York; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and caregiver and special friend, Debra Harris, Statesboro.
Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, December 2, at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Dec. 2, from the Pearson-Dial Funeral Home Chapel.
Interment will be in the St. Johns Cemetery.
The family requests members of the Blackshear High School Class of 1960 serve as honorary pallbearers. Please meet at the funeral home by 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online guestbook at www.pearsondial.com.
Pearson-Dial Funeral Home of Blackshear is honored to serve the Aldridge family during this time.
