Talmage Cecil Walker
May 8, 1935 – July 3, 2026
Talmage Cecil Walker went home to heaven July 3, 2026, after a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by family.
Cecil was born in Gray Court, SC in 1935 and spent his entire life in the upstate, mostly in Laurens County. He was a Navy veteran and worked for various companies in the Greenville and Laurens areas until he started his own heating and cooling company—Cecil’s Heating and Cooling—in 1964. He was proud to have been a pioneer in heat pumps in South Carolina. He ran his business with the basic principle that he would treat people like he wanted to be treated, and his customers responded with trust and loyalty. He sold his business and retired in 1997, but people continued to call him for service and advice. He helped until he was physically unable to do so any longer. Former customers were still calling as recently as weeks before his death.
He loved golfing and was a member of Lakeside Country Club for many years. He was proud to have scored seven holes-in-one over his golfing career.
Among other things, Cecil will be remembered for his fierce love for his family and friends, his unyielding integrity, his never-ending jokes and stories, and his ability to grow exceptional tomatoes. During tomato season, friends and family could count on Cecil appearing with bags and boxes of tomatoes beginning in July and continuing until the frost killed the plants. He trained members of his family in his gardening techniques so that his tomatoes will live on.
Cecil was one of three surviving original members of Welcome Baptist Church in Laurens, where he remained a member until his death.
He was predeceased by his parents, Talmage Clifford Walker and Theo Doshia Brown Walker of Laurens; his wife, Myrtle Rush Chapman Walker of Ware Shoals; eight siblings; and a daughter, Sharon Walker Jones of Simpsonville. He is survived by a brother, Frank Walker of Columbia; two daughters, Chris Chapman Brayton of Flowery Branch, GA and Frances Chapman of Ware Shoals, SC; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and multiple nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 1, at 10 a.m. at Westview Memorial Park in Laurens. The Rev. Don Peake of Welcome Baptist Church will officiate. Family will receive friends after the service in the Welcome Baptist Church fellowship hall, 1825 Highway 14, Laurens, SC 29360.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Cecil’s honor to Welcome Baptist Church, 1825 Highway 14, Laurens, SC 29360. Expressions of sympathy may be conveyed to the family at www.thekennedymortuary.com.
