Ernest Walton Horne, III, 83, of Powder Springs, GA, passed away surrounded by loving family on April 25, 2026.

Walt, as he was known by most, was born January 2, 1943, in Atlanta, GA, the son of Ernest Walton Horne, Jr. and Jewell Lorene Adams.

Walt graduated as the Salutatorian of his class at Roosevelt High School in 1961, then attended the Georgia Institute of Technology, earning a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 1966 and a master’s degree in metallurgy in 1969. After his retirement, he returned to Georgia State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in medical technology in 1996.

Walt was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1968 and proudly served in Vietnam in the 101st Airborne Division as a laboratory technician at Camp Evans from January through October of 1970. He earned a Bronze Star and was honorably discharged in October of 1970.

Walt married Marilyn Neal on December 27, 1968, at Confederate Avenue Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA. Walt and Marilyn were married for 57 wonderful years. They spent the majority of their lives serving in churches in Atlanta and Northwest Georgia.

Walt worked and retired as a Development Engineer at Lucent Technologies in 1995. He held a U.S. patent for the Voltage Surge Limiter with Grounding Assembly that he developed during his tenure there.

Walt especially loved tinkering with cars, hunting, and sitting in his rocking chair on the front porch of his log home.

Walt was a member of Salvation Army Church in Rome, GA. He served in the Men’s Ministry and was instrumental in that club winning the Salvation Army Men’s Club of the Year for Georgia in 2024.

Remaining to cherish Walt’s memory are his loving wife, Marilyn; his children, Alice (Frankie) Buckner, Jessica (Scott) Harrington, and Kori (Chris) Lance; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; his sister, Marcia McBride; and his nieces, Amy (Chris) Walker and Beth McBride.

Preceding Walt in death are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E.W. Horne, Jr., and his son, John J. Horne.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 12, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. – noon at Darby Funeral Home in Canton, GA. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m. in the Darby Chapel. Interment will be at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton at 2:00 p.m. Military honors will be conducted by the Georgia National Cemetery Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Ernest Walton Horne III’s memory may be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project. 

The caring staff of Darby Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Ernest Walton "Walt" Horne, III.