William Walker

William V. “Bill” Walker Sr., 83, of Greeley, died on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 at the Hospice & Palliative Care of Northern Colorado Inpatient Unit in Greeley. He was born in North Platte, Nebraska on February 28, 1923 to Milton “Shorty” and Hazel Walker. The family moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1929. They resided at the Pioneer Ball Park Facilities or the Airport Golf Course. This formed a true love for baseball and golf. While in Junior High School, he would play baseball with the Union Pacific Railroad Men’s Team. Shortly before graduation from Central High School, Bill would enlist in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 31st Division – the Mighty Dixie Division. He spent three years in the South Pacific during World War II and returned to Cheyenne in 1947. On April 12, 1947 Bill and Ann Corder were married at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Cheyenne, Wyoming. Their 59th wedding anniversary would have been today (April 12th). He joined the Wyoming Air National Guard in 1948 and was called back on active duty through the Korean Situation in 1950. He remained affiliated with the military for 40 years when he retired. The family moved to Greeley in 1958 but were transferred to Casper, Wyoming in 1960, vowing to return to Colorado. They returned to Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1961 where Bill was assigned to the Wyoming National Guard. Upon his retirement in 1978, the family settled once more in Greeley, Colorado where he worked for the Weld County School District #6 as their Purchasing Agent. In Cheyenne he was a member of the Elks, St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Knights of Columbus and the V.F.W.. When his sons were young, he would serve as “Den Mother” to their Cub Scout units. He assisted in numerous charitable organizations. In Greeley, he was a member of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, The American Legion and the Eaton Country Club where he would enjoy golf until his illness took over his body. Survivors include his wife, Ann Walker of Greeley; 3 sons and their wives, Edward & Nancy Walker of Geneseo, Illinois, Steve & Debbie Walker of Denver, Colorado and Bill Jr. & Carrie Walker of Greeley; a daughter and her husband, Susan & Ron Gnam of Greeley; 6 grandchildren, Brian Walker of Casper, Wyoming and Natalie Walker of Ohio, Courtney and Cassandra Walker both of Greeley, Felicia Vanslager and husband Steve of Conifer, Colorado and Adrien Ruckle and husband Mike of Loveland, Colorado; a great grandson, Christopher Walker of Cheyenne, Wyoming; 2 sisters, Alyce Lewis and husband Loren of Kansas and Bernice Wieland of Pennsylvania. He is preceded in death by his parents. Recitation of Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday at the Moser Funeral Service Chapel, 3501 S. 11th Avenue. Visitation will be from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m.on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Greeley with full military honors. Immediately following the graveside services the family will greet friends at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church Parish Hall. Instead of flowers, Bill’s family asks that donations be made to St. Mary’s Catholic School or Church, Hospice & Palliative Care of Northern Colorado or to the Parkinson’s Association in care of Moser Funeral Service, 3501 S. 11th Avenue, Evans, Colorado 80620.

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William Walker

February 28, 1923 - April 11, 2006