In Memoriam

Hamer Phillips

It is my sad duty to announce the death of the club’s first president, Hamer Phillips.
A talented mechanic, involved in motorsports since the heady days of SCCA dominance and Bonneville speed records, he was a tireless supporter of our organization, and his mechanical expertise and generous spirit set the tone for the organization he helped establish.
Remember him and his loved ones in your prayers.

Thomas Miro
President

Remembering Hamer Phillips
by David Price

I first met Hamer in 1989, having just moved to Montgomery.  Afflicted with British cars, I had owned them since high school, and a TR6 was spotted for sale. Hamer was the seller. I drove the car. At every shift there was a loud clunk, so I didn’t go fast and didn’t go far. Just the loop where he lived and returned the car. He told me that was the “Triumph Clunk, they all have them!” I left without the car thinking, this guy knows squat about British cars.

Two years passed and the newspaper had an article about some folks starting a British Car Club. They planned a picnic run to Chewacla Park to judge interest. I was interested and joined in. My MGA quit three times on the way to Chewacla. Amazing, no one seemed to mind. Arriving at Chewacla, the first head under my bonnet was Hamer Phillips – the guy I pegged as knowing nothing about British cars. Embarrassed enough for the day, I split off and took a solo ride home. Here Hamer made his first great impression. He called to make sure I got home safe and sound and offered his assistance on the car.

The British Motoring Club of Montgomery was formed & Hamer was our president for seven years. He did it all. Planned outings, fixed cars, gave advice, and wrote newsletter articles. The club quickly grew to about 100 members and Hamer made another huge impression. There was no Facebook, webpage, texting, or e-mail at the time. Hamer called every member every month to keep everyone informed of club activities.

The first long outing occurred that year, the Fairhope British Car Show. Hamer encouraged me to go and loaned me his trailer. We had about 10 cars make the trip and had a wonderful time. However, here Hamer made a horrible impression. We got to hear him sing! He serenaded the entire Gambino’s Italian Restaurant crowd to a top of his lungs version of Elvira!

Over the next few years Hamer, three others and I began to take road trips and rides together outside the club activities. Hamer named the group the “Road Warriors” and thus began a close friendship with Hamer and the other Warriors. Overnight trips to the beach, Atlanta, and hill country followed.

When Hamer built his shop a lot of things changed. His love of British sports cars blossomed. He had room to work on them and buy, sell, and trade in these cars. He started dragging home cars no one wanted and dismantling them for parts and became a great source of used parts for our club. The shop was always open for club members. You could work on your car yourself or pay Hamer to fix it for you. We all gained a lot from his shared time and wisdom.

Time always moves on. In my mind, two great things happened for Hamer in his latter years. The first was when he met Lallage. They just clicked. It seemed to me Hamer was more content than in any time I had known him. He loved Lallage and Lallage loved him. It was good to see.

The second thing was the purchase of his Mazdaspeed Miata, a factory turbo version. He always said this is what the British should have built. He and Lallage began taking trips with us. Imagine a sports car that doesn’t leak in the rain, starts every time, is warm in winter, and cool in summer. He really enjoyed the Miata.

The last example I’ll give of Hamer always helping and teaching occurred on a club trip in Tennessee. I was behind Hamer & Lallage in the Miata. Ogling the fall colors, my head was turned when I heard the squeal of tires. Something had caused a panicked stop and the Miata rear end was getting huge! The A stopped just inches away from disaster. At the next stop, Hamer baled out & headed my way. Expecting a lecture on watching the road, I was surprised when Hamer said – , you need to adjust your brakes, you pulled hard to the right trying to get stopped .  Always teaching his pupils, that was Hamer. The guy who knew nothing about British cars.

It’s hard to wrap up 30 years of friendship in a few paragraphs. Hamer led a good life. A very interesting life. He will be missed greatly, but even better, Hamer will be remembered by many.

Obituary

Mr. Mural Hamer Phillips died on Monday September 21.2020. He was preceded in death by his parents Dwight and Gladys Phillips, brother Roger and sister Anne, He is survived by his children Gary and Dena, grandson Austin and long time partner, Lallage Neill. Hamer graduated from Furman University. He was employed in the field of commercial Real Estate and Marketing. After retirement he settled in Montgomery, Alabama. He loved his family, friends, his church, Pike Road, and his British Car Club. A private memorial was held at Woodland Methodist Church where he was placed in the Columbarium. Wetumpka Memorial Funeral Home directing.

 

Mac Walker

Mac and Ophelia during a pit stop on our way to Orange Beach on our 2016 Tired Butts trip in his XJ6.

Mac packing up his MGB on the way home from Mentone on our 2010 Tired Butts trip

2012 Covered Bridge Tired Butts Tour

Rattlesnake Saloon in 2013

When we first met Mac, we learned from others in the club that his wife, Susan, was chronically ill, but he never shared this hardship with others.  By his nature, Mac was soft-spoken, humble, affable, always with a ready smile and not one to draw attention to himself.    You pretty much needed a come-along to get Mac to talk about himself.  I didn’t know until after he had died that he was on the API (Auburn) swim team and that after he stopped farming, he bought a printing business called “The Village Printer” in Wetumpka.    But, he was a fount of knowledge on subjects of interest to him. 

Mac receiving the Needham Award in 2014

Cathy and I made a point of seeking him out and joining him for meals whenever possible on our road trips.   Aside from our British car interest, we discovered another common bond. The Walker family has lived on this same Macon County property since the early 1840s — not too long after the Creek wars and the Old Federal Road was created over existing Indian trails.  Tuckabatchee, the largest Creek village of the Muskogee Federation was just across the Tallapoosa River from the Walker family property and Fort Decatur even closer.   We learned that Mac and I had read many of the same books on the subject which led to interesting and informative discussions.

Mac wasn’t just living in the past, though. I recall being gobsmacked when I checked with him on a return from one of our road trips. He pulled out his phone to choose his route home and showed me where he’d peel off from the rest of the group heading back to Montgomery!

In 2014, Mac, then well into his mid-eighties, was honored with our club’s Needham Award for club participation for continuing to be more active than many of our members.  This, while going through the most difficult years of his life as caretaker for his wife and never complaining, still attending as many of our meetings and drives that he could, including the annual Tired Butts trips. 

I want to be like Mac when I grow up.

Russell

(A donation from BMC was made to Children’s Harbor in Mac’s memory.)

James McLemore Walker

July 28, 1928 ~ April 22, 2019 (age 90)

Mac was born at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Montgomery, Alabama on a July morning in 1928 to Benjamin Watson Walker and Ophelia McLemore Walker.  His parents brought him home to Milstead in a Model B Ford. While in high school at Starke Academy in Montgomery, he took the train home weekends, eager to be back in the outdoors and hunt. Mac attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute. There he enjoyed his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta, and competing as a member of the Auburn swim team. He was drafted into the army following WW II. While stationed in Verdun, France, he proposed to his Montgomery sweetheart, Susan Riggs, who boarded the Queen Mary to cross the Atlantic for their marriage. Upon their return to Milstead, he farmed cotton and soybeans and later owned a printing company. Mac was a constant reader of history and science. He greatly enjoyed making things, building several boats over his lifetime, including a sailboat and a classic wooden boat. He also loved all things mechanical and delighted in restoring items to their working order ranging from a hit-and-miss engine to his 1984 Jaguar XJS. As a classic car enthusiast, he relished fall road trips with the Montgomery British Motor Club. His love of family and family history enriched the lives of all who had the privilege of hearing his stories. At the age of 90 Mac professed faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized.

Mac died Monday, April 22, 2019, at his home.  Graveside services will be Thursday, April 25, 2019, at 2:00 P.M. at the Walker Family Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to the family home afterward.

His wife Susan Riggs died in 2014. He is also predeceased by his brother Benjamin Watson Walker, Jr. and wife Frances Litchfield Walker; brother-in-law Frank Willard Riggs; brother-in-law Blucher Hamilton Cooper, and his wife Peggy Gray Cooper.

Mac is survived by his children, James McLemore Walker, Jr., May Walker Underwood, Ophelia Tanner Walker, Nancy Walker Turman (Doug) and David Riggs Walker (Cheryl); grandchildren, Rena Underwood Brown (Josh), Macy Underwood Dickinson, George William Underwood, Walker Braxton Turman (Beatrice), Charles Marshall Turman, Young Lei Turman, Julia Day Turman, David Riggs Walker, Jr. and Ragan Elizabeth Walker; great granddaughter Bailey Brown; and sister-in-law, Isobel B. Riggs.

 

 

Bobby Gunter

 

Bobby had a passion for British cars that surpassed most of us, and the means to fuel it. Through the years he owned many, but it all began with a tiny Austin sedan. He and his brother later bought sports cars about the same time. While his brother bought an MGTF, Bobby bought a ‘53 Austin Healey 100-4, fell in love with the car and never sold it. His love for the marque lasted the rest of his life. Ultimately, he owned the largest Healey 100-4 collection I have ever heard of, along with 6 MGs, 6 Jaguars, a Triumph 2000, and a pair of Austins: an A40 Sport, and another rare bird – an Austin A90 Atlantic. Go visit our website to see a few of his cars. Bobby was a great club member and a friend to all who knew him. I’m sure he is rolling in a Healey 100 with a wide smile riding the billowy roads above.

David

Robert L. Gunter

July 5, 1930 – February 11, 2018

Robert Lamont Gunter, 87, of Montgomery, passed away on February 11, 2018. A native of Montgomery, he worked most of his life in Dallas, Texas, and returned to Montgomery after retirement. He enjoyed restoring British cars and was a long time member of the British Car Club in Texas and Alabama.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Myrtle Gunter; siblings, Colonel Edwin Gunter, Lomax Gunter, Georgia Teague, and Margaret Chapman. He is survived by eight nieces and nephews; Glenda (Ronald) Hancock, Virginia (John) Jordan, James (Debbie) Gunter, Robert (Tanya) Gunter, Jackie (Steve) Mead, Allen (Jackie) Chapman, Richard (Wanda) Gunter, and Jamie (Christian) Bueno.

The family would like to send a special thank you to his companions and caretakers; Ms. Ruby, Gloria, Tasha, Willie, Sr., and Willie, Jr. Your love and care is greatly appreciated.

LYNDA PARDO
Lynda Diane Pardo, 69, a resident of Eclectic, AL passed away on Sunday, February 24, 2013 in a local hospital. Lake Martin lost a bit of its shimmer when Lynda, who brightened so many lives, slipped from our midst. Nana, as she was affectionately referred to by family and friends, was a caring and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She set an example of what a life well-lived should be. The legacy Nana leaves is to live life to the fullest, laugh a lot, and to never miss the opportunity to show the people you hold dearest just how much you love them. Lynda is survived by her loving husband of almost fifty years, Ronald J. Pardo; children, Karen (Jeffery) Madore and Mansour Saidali (Jacqueline) Samani; grandchildren, Jacob Chyler Madore, Shayda Saidali Samani and Daniel Mansour Saidali Samani; as well as her loving extended family, including the Madore’s and the Pouncey’s. Nana deeply loved all of the children in her life, and took great pride in watching them grow into the outstanding young people that they are. She would hope that every time they see a hummingbird, they will think of her and how much she loved and believed in them. A Memorial Celebration of Life service will be held at St. Vincent’s Catholic Church in Tallassee on Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends following the service at the Pardo’s residence, 471 Dogwood Drive, Eclectic, AL. 36024. In lieu of flowers , the family requests donations be made in Lynda’s memory to Children’s Harbor, 1 Our Children’s Hwy., Alexander City, AL 35010. Online guestbook available at www.gassettfuneralhome.net

2017 at the Old Barn Restaurant in Goshen

Shirley Dean Williams Wesson, 71, of Montgomery died on June 30, 2017. She was born December 21, 1945 to the late Berna Dean Murchison and Reginald Lewis “Buck” Williams Jr.

She is survived by her husband of 45 years, John Carl Wesson. She is also survived by her son John Joseph “Joe” Wesson (Robin); her brother Reggie Williams (Vicki); her niece, Robin Williams; her cousins Adrienne Moore; Larry Wright (Jackie) and her brother in law, Thomas J. Wesson (Jackie).

Shirley retired from the Social Security Administration after 42 years. She was a cat lover who enjoyed traveling, mahjong, and being a member in several organizations.

 

William Harry Jeffries

October 24, 1933 – August 4, 2011

JEFFRIES, William H.- Jeff – (SMSgt, USAF, Retired), 77, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on Thursday, August 4, 2011. A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 8, 2011 at noon at the Leak- Memory Chapel of Montgomery. There will be no visitation prior to the service. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joyce Jeffries; his children Lesley Raymond, Bill Jeffries, Ede Holmes, and Suzin Jeffries; eight grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and his sister Mary Jane Jeffries of Jeffersontown, Kentucky. Jeff proudly served his country in the United States Air Force for twenty-eight years before retiring in Montgomery in 1977. Jeff always had a passion for cars, especially the Mini Cooper and was a long- time member of the British Motoring Club of Montgomery, Alabama. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Leak-Memory Chapel Directing www.leak-mc.com

Russell Dix Whigham

My friend Russell Whigham died at Jackson Hospital from Covid-19 complications on January 5, 2021.

He was born to Francis Dix and Mavis Vickery Whigham on September 4, 1945 in Montgomery, AL.

He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Cathy McCard Whigham; his two children, John Whigham (Amy) of Roswell, GA, and daughter, Suzanne Cheek (Eric) of Vestavia Hills, AL; his three grandchildren, Sarah and Thomas Whigham, and Jackson Cheek; his sister, Virginia Tucker (Jim) of Hoover, AL.

Russell attended Alabama College in Montevallo, graduated from John M. Patterson State Technical School, served in the Alabama Air National Guard, and retired from AT&T after 39 years.

He was a founding member of the Auburn Astronomical Society and loved sharing his knowledge of astronomy at Auburn events, school programs, and especially during Astronomy Day at W.A. Gayle Planetarium. A sports car fanatic, he was an active member of the British Motoring Club of Montgomery and webmaster for their site. He had a keen sense of humor, always willing to lend a helping hand, and looked on the bright side of everything.

A private memorial service is planned for a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a remembrance can be made in his name to Children’s Harbor, 1 Our Children’s Hwy., Alexander City, AL 35010.

Ron Joseph Pardo

Long-time club member Ron Pardo died 10 May 2021 at the age of 78. A lover of all manner of lovely iron, both British and American, Ron was also an Air Force veteran.

He was predeceased by his parents, Manuel Joseph Pardo and Vira Adelene Pardo, and his former wife Lynda Diane Pardo. He is survived by  his wife Joyce Williamson Pardo of Alexander City; his children, Mansour Samani (Jacqueline) of Titusville, FL and Karen P. Madore (Jeffery) of Eclectic; his grandchildren, Shayda Bloom (Josh), Daniel Samani, Jacob Madore and Tabitha Hunter; his great grandchildren, Isaac Bloom, Soraya Bloom and Jeffery Woodbury; his step-daughter Leigh Ann Waters (Art) of Midway, AL; his step-grandchildren, Wesley Waters, Sam Waters and Sally Bane (Bradley); his step-great-grandchildren, Powell Bane, Jacks Bane and Bella Bane; and his friend Margy Linares.

In lieu of flowers, please consider giving a monetary donation to Children’s Harbor in Ron’s name.

John Kirkpatrick Peden, M.D.

Long time club member and lover of fine automobiles John “Doc” Peden passed away 3 January 2022.

Doc was a proud Scot, a brilliant surgeon who lived a long, full, and interesting life, and a connoisseur of fine cars.  I was fortunate to call him friend.  He generously provided me the opportunity to work on and drive several of his classic automobiles, a gift beyond price.  I will miss him greatly.
I’ll provide further information to the club as I receive it.

Don Green

Long time club member Don Green passed away early on 8 January 2022.  A die-hard Gator fan, XK8 lover, and proud retired Senior Master Sergeant, he was a stalwart friend and a huge fan of Clanton’s Peach Park.  Details will follow as arrangements are made.

Please keep Don and Verna in your prayers.