Tony Thurmond: “if the Palmetto State is famous for textiles, then Mr. Walter S. Montgomery, Sr., is one of a handful of South…”

“if the Palmetto State is famous for textiles, then Mr. Walter S. Montgomery, Sr., is one of a handful of South Carolinians whose name is synonymous with that industry. Without question, he is a man who has left his mark on our State and Nation, and it is with great sadness that I rise today to note his recent passing. ``Mr. Walter,'' as he was affectionately known by his friends and employees, died late last month, ending what was a lifelong commitment to service and industry. From the time he took over his family's textile mill to the day he died, Walter Montgomery worked hard to advance textile manufacturing, to strengthen the South Carolina economy, and to improve the quality of life for the South Carolina Upstate, especially his beloved hometown of Spartanburg. Known as a benevolent boss, Mr. Walter would stroll the floors of his factories in his shirtsleeves, supervising operations and talking with his employees. His interest in those who worked for him extended beyond the plant walls, and he was known to spend afternoons on the front porches of the homes of Spartan Mills workers, passing the time and getting to know those in his employ. Additionally, Walter Montgomery worked hard to create a job place that was modern, clean, and safe, a far cry from the old style mills of the 19th and early 20th centuries.”