We felt like it was a very good show, but we were the ones to put it together, and as Walter's kids, we have always thought highly of ourselves.  :-)  One thing is for sure, none of us had ever been to a "funeral" like that before, and we probably never will again.

As guests arrived, giant move premiere searchlights filled the sky.  Guests walked down a red carpet just like the stars walk down at the Academy Awards.  A large photograph of Walter was displayed just inside the "VIP Entrance."  A star on Walter's Walk of Fame was located on the floor near the entrance to the theatre where the program was presented.  The lobby had displays of Walter's memorabilia, photographs, awards, and much more. 

Tony Windsor served as emcee and welcomed the guests and noted a number of special guests.  Tony told guests that the symbol of the theatre is a set of masks - one for comedy and one for tragedy.  He advised the guests that this was not a funeral, but a celebration, and there would be a wide variety of messages - sad, happy, funny, and guests should feel free to laugh and clap and cry.  The presentations provided plenty of opportunity for laughing, clapping, and crying!

Gene Columbus of The Orlando Repertory Theatre welcomed the guests.  He explained that Walter had been a very important supporter of the Theatre and the arts in Orlando.  Theatres are usually dark on Monday nights, but The Rep agreed to open to honor "one of its own."

Billy Windsor, the first-born son of Walter and Mary Windsor and now the patriarch of the Windsor family, presented a eulogy on behalf of the family titled "He was Special."  Bill's presentation was based on a "This is Your Life" format.  Photos were used to illustrate Bill's eulogy about Walter's life and contributions.  There were many laughs and quite a few tears, though Bill did manage to complete the job without calling for back-up help that was arranged to step in if his tears became overwhelming.

Roger Blair, Armand Marchesano, and Michael Kramer then performed Walter's favorite song, "Star Dust."

Jim Robinson and Bob Jordan then gave special presentations.  Walter had requested that Jim and Bob speak at any event held following his death.  Jim was an owner of Channel 9, and Bob was and is the News Director at Channel 9.  Jim gave a touching speech about Walter's successes in Orlando and their friendship over the last 40 years.  Bob told a lot of funny stories and explained why Walter was such a good manager.

Jacqueline Jones then dazzled the audience with her rendition of "They Can't Take That Away From Me."  Michael Kramer accompanied her on the piano.

Harvey and Nick Harper spoke, with Harvey delivering a message from Walter's daughter, Wendy.  A 90-year slide show was then presented as compiled by Wendy Windsor.  The slides were accompanied by wonderful songs by Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole, Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, and Judy Garland.  Unfortunately, none of them could be there in person, but their recordings certainly sounded great on the Theatre's fabulous sound system.

Winn Williams read a poem.  Marty Windsor then delivered a short eulogy titled "No Regrets."  She related a story about how Walter thought he had a child piano prodigy on his hands when Marty could  bang out a few notes that sounded like "Stranger in the Night" at the age of 5.   Marty's speech was cleverly supplemented by a hidden pianist who simulated the rudimentary notes that Marty likely played and then played a concert-quality version that Marty felt was probably the way proud papa Walter was hearing it.  It was very clever and funny and one of the many highlights of the evening.

Ray Michel than gave a personal message about Walter and sang "My Way."  He was accompanied by Michael Kramer on the piano.

Several guests spoke from the audience as Danny Treanor and Tony Windsor acted as roving reporters with wireless microphones out in the audience.  Those who spoke included Danny Treanor, Carolyn Bazzo, Joyce Kimbrell, Jackie Jones, Mary Scott, Russ Robinson, and others.

As the evening was patterned in some ways after an awards ceremony like the Academy Awards or the Emmy Awards, a 3-minute tribute was presented to honor key people in Walter's life who were already in Heaven.  This "In Memoriam" slide show was accompanied by the theme from the movie "Simon Burch."

Reverend Donna Conley gave a closing prayer, and then Al and Sharon Short played "Cabin in the Sky."

The formal program then ended when The Orlando Repertory Theatre brought out a giant photograph of Walter and explained the use of ghost lights in the theatre.  The Rep has named their ghost light "Walter" in honor of Walter M. Windsor.

Tony Windsor choked up as he closed with the famous George M. Cohan line from Yankee Doodle Dandy: "My mother thanks you, my father thanks you, my brother thanks you, my sisters thank you, and I thank you."

The guests then mingled and talked in the theatre and in the lobby where Charlie's Strawberry Cheesecake was served (Walter's favorite dessert).

We had a few glitches, but not bad for "live TV" with no rehearsals.  It started about 15 minutes late, and every single presenter took longer than we estimated, except Reverend Donna Conley who was right on time as she was at the graveside service.  You may access a copy of the printed program for the Celebration by clicking on this pdf file link.

It was a "funeral" unlike any that any of us have ever attended.  We loved putting it together.  We all put together separate pieces, and we never compared notes on what any of us were going to say or present.