Walter Leon Bumphus Sr.

The eternal promise of God was kept when an angel of the Lord guided Mr. Walter Leon (Pap) Bumphus home. His earthly journey began on June 26, 1948, in Durham, NC, when God smiled on the late Thomas and Annie Bumphus with the birth of their son.

At an early age, Leon joined St. Paul A.M.E. church in Chapel Hill, NC, where he attended faithfully until his death. He served on the Usher Board, he was one of the church van drivers, he supported Vacation Bible School by cooking spaghetti, which everybody loved, and he enjoyed cooking at the 8:00 a.m. church breakfasts. Leon was a two-time recipient of the ‘Man of the Year’ award.

Leon attended Chapel Hill High School and was a member of the 1966 graduating class. He was one of 13 African Americans to integrate Chapel Hill High School on Franklin St. He joined the US Navy in 1968 and served two years in Vietnam aboard the USS Intrepid. He was honorably discharged in 1974.

Leon was employed by UNC Hospitals for 12 years, the town of Chapel Hill for 13 years, and Chapel Hill City Schools for 5 years. He retired from the City of Durham in 2011. After retirement, he worked part-time for Jones Funeral Home in Chapel Hill, NC.

Leon was a member of the Mount Olive # 36 PHA Masonic Lodge and a member of the Randolph Chapter of the Eastern Stars 185 where he served as a Worthy patron. He was also a member of Durham Consistory #218 (33rd Degree).

Leon was preceded in death by his loving parents, Thomas, and Annie Bumphus; one sister, Betty B. McCauley; and one nephew, Darris Vincent McCauley.

Those whose lives were enriched by him and who will cherish his loving memory are his son, Walter Leon Bumphus Jr.; brother, James Anthony (Tony) Bumphus; niece, Yolanda Floyd (Victor); great niece and nephew, Victoria and Trooper Floyd; companion, Brenda Purnell; ex-wives, Regina Perkins and Constance Bumphus, and a host of other relatives and many friends.