Walton Lane Ector

Walton L. Ector died at Roper Hospital surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, February 14, 2018. His Funeral Service will be held Sunday, February 18, 2018 in the James Island Presbyterian Church, 1632 Fort Johnson Road at 4:00 p.m. Interment will follow in James Island Presbyterian Churchyard. The family will receive friends Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in The Chapel at Bishop Gadsden, 1 Bishop Gadsden Way, Charleston, SC. ARRANGEMENTS J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL.

Walt was born in Interlachen, Florida on August 1, 1926 to Nellie Alford and Hugh Taylor Ector. He grew up living in many places all over the Southeast, completing high school at Myrtle Beach High School as Valedictorian. He then went to N.C. State as an engineering major in the fall of 1943. He was drafted into the Army Air Corps in 1945 where he spent some time at the end of World War Two in the far east. At the end of the war, Walt went to the College of Charleston for two years. He was awarded the Alumni Medal for the junior with the highest average. After his junior year, he was accepted to the Medical College of South Carolina, where he also completed a residency in Pediatrics. While at the College of Charleston, he met his wife of 65 years, Alice Fischer. They were married on June1st, 1949. He began his pediatric practice in South Windermere on July 1st, 1955. Ten years later, together with Jack Rhodes and William Gamble, he founded Parkwood Pediatric Group. They moved into the current Parkwood office in August of 1955. On July 1st, 1990 he became Associate Professor of Pediatrics at MUSC and after one year, became Program Director. He continued working at MUSC with Pediatric residents until he was 80 years old. Walt held a number of offices over the years and was appointed to five prestigious national committees. He was elected President of the professional Staff of Roper Hospital for one year, served as Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at St. Francis Xavier Hospital where he served on the board of the hospital. He also served on the Board of the Charleston County Hospital and served on the Board of the Franklin C. Fetter Community Health Center. He was also elected President of the Charleston County Medical Society and served as President of the MUSC Alumni Association. He was President of the St. Andrews Rotary Club. In addition to his career in Pediatrics, Walt's passions were growing camellias and sailing Thistles. He was the co-founder of the Coastal Carolina Aquatic Association (the Tri County area Summer swim league). He was a lifetime Presbyterian, a long time member of the Chancel Choir, the Handbell Choir, and the Orchestra. He played cello in church once a month as well as with the Fifth Sunday group. He was on the mission committee, served Meals on Wheels, volunteered at Florence Crittenton and with The Journey. He was also an active member of the Saturday Men's Bible study and his Sunday School class. At Bishop Gadsden, Walt was editor of the GAB magazine, played water volleyball, attended several exercise classes and many concerts and lectures. He enjoyed his nightly supper group, especially his close friend Sarah Darwin. What meant the most of all to Walt was his family. He never missed a swim meet, piano recital, band concert, or gymnastics meet. He was very involved in their faith development, teaching Sunday School, and sharing his faith journey.

He was predeceased by his loving wife Alice of 65 years, his two brothers, Hugh Taylor Ector and Ralph Alford Ector. He is survived by his son, Walton Lane Ector, Jr. (Diana), of Tampa, FL; three daughters; Jan Pesavento (Charles) of Folly Beach, Alice Anne Sander (Tom) of Park City, Utah and Barbara Manaker (Seth) of James Island; ten grandchildren; Walton Pesavento (Erin), John Pesavento (Alison), Daniel Pesavento, (Meghan), Jordan Lykens (Steven), Briana Fernandez (Brent), Austin Ector, Perrin Schwall (Adam), Carlyn Sander, Elissa Watson (Jake) and Taylor Keathley; great grandchildren, Eli, Rowan Pesavento and Ada Pesavento; many nieces and nephews; all his honorary family members and all the people who call him Daddy. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to James Island Presbyterian Music or James Island Presbyterian Missions, 1632 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412 or to Water Missions International, PO Box 71489, North Charleston, SC 29415