Walter Steven Ridgway was born in rural Mississippi in 1888, one of seven children, including five boys. The Ridgway family was close-knit; Walter even lived next door to his disabled sister to help care for her when she lived alone in the old family home.

A hardworking and ambitious man, Ridgway graduated from Millsaps College with a BA and later earned a law degree from Ole Miss. He began his career as a lawyer but soon discovered his passion for entrepreneurship, choosing to build and manage both commercial properties and individual homes in real estate. Though the life of an entrepreneur was challenging, Ridgway remained resilient. He summed up his personal philosophy: “If a man gets ahead in this life, it’s in spite of his difficulties. Any satisfaction comes from struggle.” Even in hard times, he never lost faith.
 

In October 1900, Ridgway joined Capital Street Methodist Church. Over the course of his life, he worked with eight to ten pastors and served the church in many roles, including Trustee, Committee Chair, Sunday school teacher, Chairman of the Board, finance, pastoral relations, and more than fifty years on the official Board of Stewards. He was also a 33rd-degree Mason, using his influence to create a more peaceful and uplifting community.