OAKLEAF – War hero, school bus driver, and radiologist.

Walter Stevenson, a longtime resident, passed away last month. But his life would never have been fully complete without the love of his life, Martha Alford Stevenson, by his side.

Martha and Walter’s love story is a nostalgic American tale that brings back memories of a simpler time.

Walter enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a 17-year-old in 1945, serving on the home front as a member of the reserves during World War II. He also fought in wars in Korea and Vietnam.

When Stevenson was out on temporary leave from the military in 1950, he returned to his new home in Palatka to work as a farm hand. The property was being rented by his uncle Clyde.

That farm neighbored the property of Martha’s father and mother.

However, the details of the marriage didn’t come without trial for the lucky man to finally wrap a ring around the finger of his lovely woman. That’s because Martha’s mother disapproved of her relationship with Walter – or any other man.

Walter was greeted at the door with a revolver on more than one occasion when heading next door to meet her. To get married, the couple went to a church in Folkston, Georgia. Stevenson borrowed his uncle’s pickup truck to make the trip.

“(Her mother) had the police there to prevent (Martha) from running off with him, but they outsmarted her,” said Carol Trudel, daughter of Walter and Martha Stevenson. Martha worked at a department store when their relationship came about. She and her soon-to-be husband took off for the races during her lunch break.

The couple married in 1951, one year after the then-named Martha Alford earned her high school diploma.

One of Walter’s several stories was about a long and twisted road.

Stevenson served a colorful 24-year career in the Navy aboard aircraft carriers Valley Forge, Forrestal, Saratoga and Roosevelt. Stevenson served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Walter’s military career would allow him to travel to the farthest corners of Earth. Stevenson sailed worldwide and crossed well below the equator when navigating the southern tip of Africa. He visited the Philippines, the Mediterranean Sea and several other nations and destinations across the globe.

His main duty at sea as a Navy service member was a simple yet critical task: to load up and drop off weapons.

Walter was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, from 1953 to 1963 before the couple finally relocated to Jacksonville in December. 1963. After that, he and Martha finally settled down.

The couple resided at the same house for 59 years until health and age became too much of a concern.  The Stevensons finally relocated to the Benton House at Oakleaf in March 2022.

Walter made plenty of memories during his time in Northeast Florida.

With Navy service behind him, Walter decided to go to school to climb the next step of the corporate ladder. Stevenson enrolled at the St. Vincent’s School of Radiology and he graduated in 1972.

Walter spent the same time in the medical field as he did in the military: 24 years.

Stevenson performed as an X-ray technician at the Northeast Florida State Hospital, the Union Correctional Facility, the Florida State Prison and Dunsford Clinic/Lakeshore Medical.

Walter knew to expect the unexpected during his time in the field. Still, even he was surprised after he was tasked with performing an X-ray and withdrawing blood from infamous American serial killer Ted Bundy, who confessed to murdering 30 women in seven states.

If that wasn’t enough, Walter worked as a school bus attendant and driver following his second retirement.

Stevenson wasn’t done just yet, as he wanted to see another slice of the world with his beloved wife. The two traveled to all 48 contiguous states and seven Canadian provinces, camping out of an Airstream van.

“He did a lot of traveling for a poor farm boy born in North Carolina,” Trudel said.

Much of Walter’s free time was spent in his small-yet-sturdy Jon Boat with his wife and family. Here, he fished the beautiful, pristine waters of the St, Johns River.

Some of his other favorite pursuits included camping, square dancing, gardening and a busy social life with friends.

He wa survived by two daughters, one son, four granddaughters, and six great-grandchildren.

Two of his granddaughters – Amy Wells and Lee Ann Sessions – still live in the county.

Wells described him as a knowledgeable man who believed in education’s importance, lived frugally, and possessed a fantastic memory in fields like history, geography, and horticulture.

“He stayed pretty sharp until the day that he passed,” Wells said.

Stevenson’s love was simple and affectionate, his granddaughter described.

“I did a book report on Montana as a child, so he decided to take me there to see everything that was there,” she said.

During his final day, Martha grabbed his hand and pulled him closer.

“Let’s go back to Georgia,” she said.