Walter Harrison Wilborn

Walter Harrison Wilborn, Dr. Wilborn, Walter, Walt, WHW, Tuffy, Gampy, Grandpa Wilborn, Papa Dr.

Walter Harrison Wilborn, 90, passed into the arms of his Heavenly Father on April 3, 2026. He was born May 20,1935 in Arbyrd, Missouri to Walter Harrison Wilborn, Sr. and Henrietta Wright Wilborn. Walter's humble beginnings growing up in the bootheel of Missouri helped shape his life.

Walter graduated from Arbyrd High School in 1953 and earned a scholarship to Freed-Hardeman University, where he met the love of his life, Mary Josephine Putnam. Together, they continued their education at Harding University where he earned degrees in Biology and Chemistry. During his college years at Harding, Walter also took Bible and ministry courses, and preached in area churches.

Walter continued his studies at St. Louis University and the University of Tennessee earning a Ph.D. in Anatomy. In 1966, his career brought him to Birmingham, where he taught at the University of Alabama School of Medicine and the University of Alabama School of Dentistry.

In 1973, he was recruited to join the Department of Anatomy at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine where he helped build a new medical school program. Throughout his distinguished career, he received numerous awards from his students recognizing his excellence in teaching.

While teaching histology and anatomy, he also conducted many research projects. some of which were the study of hormone replacement effects on women, acne and its treatments, salivary gland, taste bud, and cholesterol studies. He was published in scientific journals and he authored a book on electron microscopy, an area of his expertise.

Following his "retirement" from academia, Walter founded the Structural Research Center, where he conducted research with private industry. He also returned to his agricultural roots, raising goats and establishing Henrietta's Dairy, one of the few Grade A Dairies in Alabama. He later expanded to include chickens, providing goat milk, eggs, and cheese to local restaurants and markets, while working alongside his wife.

Walter was a devoted husband of 66 years to the late Mary Josephine Putnam Wilborn. He was a loving father to three daughters: Mary Elizabeth Benak (Robert) of Dothan; Margaret Ann Hess (Mark) of Vestavia Hills; Amy Janet Wilborn-Espinosa (Carlos) of Mobile. He was the proud grandfather to eight grandchildren: Meghan Benak Brandt (Matthew), Joseph Harrison Benak (Lauren), James Stephenson Benak (Kayla), Robert Andrew Benak (Hannah), all of Dothan; Thomas Jackson Hess, of Oxford, Ms, Aaron Daniel Hess (Stella), of Birmingham, Jonathan David Hess of Oxford, Ms; and Katherine Grace Wilborn of Mobile. He was blessed with seven great-grandchildren: Harrison James Benak, Henry Robert Benak, and Molly Ann Benak; Rials Stephenson Benak, and Mary Scott Benak, all of Dothan; and Stella Grace Hess and Sophia Christine Hess of Birmingham. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, and three sisters. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Sara Voorhies of Muscle Shoals, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be: Joseph Benak, Stephen Benak, Andrew Benak, Matthew Brandt, Thomas Hess, Daniel Hess, and Jonathan Hess. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Benak, Mark Hess, and Carlos Espinosa.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Home RN's Courtney Nix, her team of caregivers, and the many friends who provided compassionate care over the last year, as well as those who faithfully maintained his farm in his absence.

"I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die." John 11:25-26