Mr. Walter C. Potts, age 89, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at approximately 8:05 p.m. at his residence in Lima.

He was born on January 4, 1926 in Mann, West Virginia to the union of James Cornelius and Odessa Crystal Harris Potts; both parents preceded him in death.

On December 27, 1946 he was united in holy matrimony to Grace A. Ward, she preceded him in death on August 14, 2014.

Mr. Potts was the first Black Electrical Engineering Employee at the B. P. Oil Lima Refinery; he was also the First Black Electrical Contractor to work in the City of Lima. He also was a Private Business Owner of Potts Electric Service.

Mr. Potts was a member of St. John Catholic Church and a member of the Black Lay Catholics.  He attended Tuskegee Institute and graduated from Ohio Northern University.  He  was a Retired Master Chief from the United States Navy, World War II Veteran,  member of Better Business Bureau, member of the Civil Service Board for many years, Elks Club Member – 1st Black Member - Broke Color Barrier and was on the Board of Governors at the Better Business Bureau.

Mr. Potts was a  Social and Community Leader he was a  Lifetime Member of NAACP, served as a Lima City Councilman and on the AmeriCom Bank Board of Directors.  He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and had served as the Executive Director of Bradfield Center where he was a member for over 70 years.  He was a member of the Allen County Board of Trustees and was a member of the Shawnee Country Club.  He was the first Recipient of the Allen County Visionaries Citizen of the Year, he was awarded the Liberty Bell Award from the Allen County Bar Association and he was the recipient of the Toledo Diocese Martin Luther King Drum Major Award.

He leaves to cherish his precious memory 3 sons; Gary A. Potts Sr. and Donald Potts both of Lima and Michael W. Potts of Haymarket, VA.  3 daughters; Elaine C. Potts and Michele K. Potts both of Lima.  Diane L. Hampton (William) of Atlanta, Georgia.  A special Daughter;  Jeanette West of Fremont, Ohio.   10 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and  a host of  great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his daughter; Marcia Potts.

Services will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church with Father David Ross, officiating.

Visitation/wake services will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at Jones-Clark Funeral Home, Inc.  12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Military Honors provided by:  V.F.W. Post # 1275