Walter Morrow Stoudenmire

Walter Morrow "Sonny" Stoudenmire passed away October 11, 2026 at the age of 93. He was born October 4, 1933 in Selma, Alabama to the late Walter Lockett Stoudenmire and Alieen Morrow Stoudenmire.

He was preceded in death by his grandson, Cain Sommerville and his sweetheart, Jule Perrin.

He is survived by his children, Cindy Stoudenmire, John (Liz) Stoudenmire, Vicky Stoudenmire and Morgan (Angela) Putnam ; grandchildren, Randy (Candace) Stoudenmire, Taylor (Erin) Stoudenmire, Will (Sarah) Sommerville, Ashley Putman and Chelsea Putman and a host of great-grandchildren.

A 1952 graduate of Albert G. Parish High School, Sonny continued his education at Auburn University, where he played basketball on a scholarship. He later left Auburn to join the U.S. Army to play basketball. After his discharge, he attended Mississippi Southern, where he earned a business degree. Sonny went on to co-own Selma Wholesale Grocery for many years.

He was a practical joker who loved making people laugh, and his sense of fun was part of what made him so easy to remember. He loved enjoying a honky-tonk and, though he always drank water, he never missed the chance to have a good time. He also found joy in listening to Hank Williams, Sr., Loretta Lynn, and Barbara Mandrell, and he especially enjoyed watching his cowboy shows. He watched every single episode of Gunsmoke countless times, returning again and again.

Graveside services will be Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at New Live Oak Cemetery with Rev. Henry Hudson officiating and Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home of Selma.

Pallbearers will be Taylor Stoudenmire, Will Sommerville, Will Cosby (standing in for Cain Sommerville), Morgan Putnam, Randall Stoudenmire and Mark Williams.