Erby Walker, Varsity counterman

Metro Atlanta

Erby Walker, Varsity counterman (1937-2008)

Erby Walker, the speedy Varsity counterman who served generations of Atlantans and celebrity visitors, has died.

His co-workers called him the world's fastest counterman. 'What'll ya have?' was his trademark cry, and he was known for his ability to calculate checks in his head.

Erby Walker was inducted into the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau Hospitality Hall of Fame in 2003. This photo was taken at at The Varsity in the 1970s.

Republican presidential hopeful Elizabeth Dole was waited on by Erby Walker on July 16, 1999.

President Bill Clinton chatted with Erby Walker at The Varsity in the 1990s.

Comedian Jeff Foxworthy was served by Erby Walker in 2001.

On Georgia Tech football Saturdays, Walker served perhaps as many as 5,000 customers, his supervisor said in 2003. 'I hate to go, ' Walker, 66, said as retirement neared. "But I know I need to go. Because I ain't getting no younger."

Erby Walker, the speedy Varsity counterman who served generations of Atlantans and celebrity visitors, has died. He had retired from the restaurant in 2003 after 51 years, but kept coming back to work the counter. In 2003 he chatted with customer Emma Campbell (right). 'I've known him all these years he's been here, ' she said.

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His co-workers called him the world's fastest counterman. 'What'll ya have?' was his trademark cry, and he was known for his ability to calculate checks in his head.

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