Walter Staley Obituary

Mt. Pleasant, SC.....It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Walter Laird Staley Jr. on July 6th, 2025, in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Laird, Ghandi or Poppy as he was also known, was born on November 10th, 1933, in Bucksport, South Carolina. He met and fell in love with Martha Ann Roberts from Conway. They married in 1955 and together had two children, Kimbaly and Walter Laird III. Laird earned his Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from Clemson University in 1959 and was forever proud of his school. He then served in the Army at the Pentagon, before building a distinguished career in the construction industry as a professional engineer. An astute businessman, he founded The Staley Company in 1991 which was continued on by his son, Walter Laird Staley III. Laird was an avid golfer and occasional fisherman. For many years, he was a Masters golf tournament season ticket holder. Some of the highlights of his life playing golf were playing the Masters course at Augusta National Golf Club and playing at St. Andrews Links in Scotland. He took great pride in maintaining an immaculate house and yard, winning yard of the month on more than one occasion. Laird was preceded in death by his father Walter Laird Staley, Sr., mother Bertha Paul Staley and his son Walter Laird Staley III. A dedicated member of the First Scots Presbyterian Church of Charleston, Laird was a deacon and valued leader of the church. He was a devoted Christian who gave his life to the Lord. Laird is survived by his wife of 70 years, Martha Ann Roberts Staley, daughter Kim Young, daughter-in-law Susan "Susie" Staley, grandchildren Ian Young (Rebecca), Adrian Young (Adrienne), Alison Young, Rachel Edison (Tylor), Walter Laird Staley IV, great grandchildren Wesley Edison and Penelope Young, sister Elaine Winburn, as well as multiple cousins, nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 PM Saturday, July 19th, 2025, at Hillcrest Cemetery in Conway, South Carolina. In lieu of flowers please give a donation to First Scots Presbyterian Church 53 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401 or a charity of your choosing. Sign an online guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel is in charge of arrangements.