Walter B. Gilbert was born February 5, 1915, in Ensley, Alabama. He was an All-American footballer at center for Auburn in 1935-36, and All Southeastern Conference in 1934, 1935 and 1936. He was the Auburn captain in 1936 and rated as one of the greatest centers and linebackers in Southern football. After graduation in 1937, Walter went to work for Texaco and was eventually named General Manager for the International Marketing Department of Texaco in Europe. In 1956 he was elected to the National Football Hall of Fame. Walter died in Gulf Shores, Alabama on August 19, 1980.