Earl Francis Walker

Earl Francis Walker Earl Francis Walker of Keswick passed away on Thursday, June 17, 2010, surrounded by family members who loved him dearly.

He was born on February 13, 1926, at Castle Hill, an estate in Albemarle County built originally in 1764 for famed explorer and physician, Dr. Thomas Walker. He was the son of the late Percy Franklin Walker and Dulcie Virginia Clasby Walker and the beloved husband for 59 years of Ruby Goodman Walker.

In addition to his wife and a cherished son, Steven Earl Walker, he is survived by a grandson, Christopher Earl Walker and his wife, Sarah; two grandchildren, Tristan and Trinity; a brother, James W. Walker and his wife, Ruth; and two sisters, Helen W. Chisholm and her husband, Everett, and Myra Lee Sandridge and her husband, Don, who was also Earl's best friend. He also loved and appreciated his many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his sister, Hazel Walker Brown, wife of Kenneth L. Brown, who died on June 9, 2010.

He received a bronze star medal for service during armed conflict in World War II with the 86th Infantry Division in the European Theater and also occupational duty in the Asian Theater. After the war, he returned to Albemarle County, married the love of his life, and went to work in sales at The W.J. Keller Company, a Main Street institution in the 1950s and early '60s, where he was an assistant manager of the business for many years for his employer and dear friend, Marianne Keller. After her death, he joined the City Sheriff's Department and retired in 1983.

He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and Grace Episcopal Church.

Services will be private as well as his request.

Preddy Funeral Home of Gordonsville is in charge of arrangements.



This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.