T.C. Waller Jr.

Thurman Cleveland Waller, Jr., known to all as “T.C.”, and to his oldest family and friends as “Bunny”, passed on to his Heavenly reward on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at the age of 86.

Those who were privileged to know him would tell you his life stood for something, for values that lasted throughout his decades. The great pillars of his life were faith, family and friendships, and they held steady in his time. He was a man of his word – honest and solid.

T.C. was born on April 3, 1938 in Campbell, AL on a Sunday morning, accompanied by the pealing of church bells. There was drama in his arrival as the doctor raced through the country roads of Clarke County, and over rising creeks, to do his task. He arrived in time to deliver a healthy baby boy weighing more than 12 pounds.

At an early age T.C.’s mother, Minnie Mae Wiggins Waller, tagged him with the nickname “Bunny”, because he fed his Easter chocolate bunny to their dog. The nickname stuck.

T.C. committed his life to Christ at an early age and was a follower throughout his life. Christian values guided his actions in business, work, and his actions with others. T.C. was a longtime deacon and Sunday School teacher at several churches, including many years at First Baptist Church of Biloxi. He was an active member of The Gideons International Ministry and distributed Bibles to schools, nurses, and hotels.

During his boyhood, the Wallers moved to Chance, AL and later to Grove Hill, where he graduated from Clarke County High School in 1955. Then he was on to Auburn University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, and quickly went to work in his long and dedicated career in engineering, beginning with the State of Alabama, where he spent many years building highways and bridges, including America’s great Interstate highways.

The love of his life then entered the picture and the T.C. story became one of “us”, no longer “me”. Sue was his completion, his wife, mother of their dear children, and a capable and dedicated business partner. It is a love story, to be sure, but it took a while to reach its happy ending.

Sue Barrett was a stunning Auburn coed, and T.C. spotted the yearbook “favorite” while strolling the campus during his senior year. “Once I saw her, I fell in love”, he said, “I was smitten”.

Sue worked in the Union building where she was in charge of intramural sports equipment and he made many walk-bys to see the pretty girl. Later he asked one of his ATO fraternity brothers to arrange a date. T.C. graduated in the spring of 1959 from Alabama Polytechnic Institute, then he was off to Fort Jackson, SC and training for the Army Reserves. 

Later, in Montgomery, where T.C. and Sue were both employed, they were both at a bowling alley with friends when they met again. Sue suggested he call her, which he happily did, but she did not answer the first two calls. She did answer the third call, and they quickly fell in love. Afterwards, neither of them would date another.

T.C. and Sue were married June 9, 1962. After the “Waller team” was in place, their beloved family of children and grandchildren followed, bringing completion and joy that lasted through the generations.

T.C.’s career path took him to Mobile, AL where he joined the Army Corps of Engineers. He spent 22 years overseeing important construction projects including two years in Saudi Arabia. He left the Corps in 1981 and started Landmark Contracting, A Construction Company in Gulfport which is a successful business that has expanded under the leadership of their son, Steve and also his grandsons, Colby and Brennan.

T.C. received a degree in civil engineering from Auburn University, but later in his career, he obtained a Professional Engineer License which required passing an arduous two day written exam. He spent 14 weeks of night studies in preparation and passed his exam on the first attempt.

One of his great contributions to the coast was T.C. stepped aside from his personal business and dedicated himself to leading the construction of a beautiful new church building for First Baptist Church Biloxi that stands proudly now for all to see as they pass by on I-10.

T.C. is preceded in death by his parents, Thurman Waller Sr and Minnie Mae Waller and his loving wife of 60 years, Sue Waller.

He is survived by his daughter, Suanne Samelson of Montgomery, Alabama and son Steve Waller of Biloxi, Mississippi.

He is also survived by his many grandchildren; Joseph Samelson, Kat Samelson, Colby Waller, Brennan Waller, Becca Webb and Madison Louviere.

The family would prefer donations to First Baptist Church Biloxi in his memory.

A memorial service will be held for T.C. at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 30, 2024 at First Baptist Church of Biloxi. Friends may visit one-hour prior to service. A private committal service will follow.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the family of Thurman Waller.