Walter Hairston was born on September 21, 1947, to the late James and Mattie Lee Hairston in Crawford, MS. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers: Willie Lee Hairston, James J. Hairston, and Vantee Hairston.

Walter worked at J&J Construction. He was a member of Mt. Carmel M.B. Church.

In 1992, Walter began a loving relationship with Maggie Chandler. Their bond grew strong, and they were united in marriage on January 7, 2005. Together, they shared a joyful and devoted life in Macon, Mississippi.

Walter leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife, Maggie Hairston; six children, Felicia (David) Hairston Jones of Columbus, MS, Velda (Rapheal) Skinner of Macon, MS, Kendall Chandler of Macon, MS, Aisha Hopkins of Memphis, TN, Marvin Hairston of Chicago, IL, and Timothy (Sophia) Mitchell of Columbus, MS; four sisters-Mattie Lee (late Walter) Harris of Crawford, MS, Annie Will (Bennie) Spann of Muskegon, MI, Mary Louis (late Robert) Smith of Crawford, MS, and Ethel Lee (Leon) Harris of Columbus, MS; two sisters-in-law-Ruthie Davis of Macon, MS, and Ruth Hopkins of Brooksville, MS; nine brothers-in-law-Essie (Sarah) Chandler, Lucious (Geraldine) Chandler, and Willie (Mary) Chandler, all of Columbus, MS; Aaron (Ethel) Chandler, Donald (Mary) Chandler, David (Betty) Chandler, Jimmie Chandler, and Tommie Chandler, all of Macon, MS; and Maxi B. (Anitra) Chandler of Brooksville, MS. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will remember him with love.