George F. Walker Jr.

George F. Walker Jr., 83, of West Bath, ME, husband of Gladys Walker, died Friday, May 7, 2010, at his home in Clarksdale, MS.

George Walker Jr. was born to parents George F. Walker and Anne Galvin Walker, and grew up in Spencer, Massachusetts. Following service in WWII, Walker graduated from Clark University with a B.B.A. and Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a MBA in Industrial Management. After procuring a job at Johnson Steel and Wire in Worcester, Mass, he became President. In 1982, he moved to Clarksdale, MS, where he founded Delta Wire Corporation.

Mr. Walker was a vested member of the community of Clarksdale, Mississippi, having taken part in state and local Councils and Committees, especially ones in relation to education and higher educational opportunities. He was the Chairman of the Mississippi State Board for Community and Junior Colleges, as well as the Co-Chairman of the Mississippi State Workforce Training Council and Tri-County Workforce Alliance. He also had a vested interest in the Youth of Clarksdale, and was the Co-Chairman of Youth Leadership, Clarksdale. Outside of his youth and educational participations, he was a valued member of the Coahoma County Industrial Foundation and Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center and a member of the Executive Board of the Enterprise Corporation of the Delta. Other humanitarian efforts included the Mississippi Industries for the Blind Board of Directors. Walker was also a devoted Rotarian, serving 56 years between clubs in Auburn, Massachusetts; and Clarksdale, Mississippi. He frequented the Bath, Maine Rotary club as a guest.

Walker received a Citation from Governor Kirk Fordice for outstanding contributions to overall growth and development of Mississippi. In 1999, he was inducted into the Mississippi Business Hall of Fame.

George Walker is survived by his wife and best friend of 59 years, Gladys Constantine Walker of Clarksdale; two daughters, Annie Walker Merry and her husband Mark of West Bath, and Susan Walker Cisternelli and her husband William of Cape Cod; and six grandchildren, David Walker, Maura Walker, Georgia Walker, Michael Walker, Jeffery Duby, and Brendan Walker.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George F. Walker and Anne Galvin Walker of Spencer, MA and a daughter, Deborah Walker.

Funeral services were May 10, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Clarksdale. A private graveside service will be held at Orchard Hill Cemetery in West Bath, Maine. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to The Tutwiler Clinic, 205 Alma St., Tutwiler, MS 38963.

Arrangements are by Daigle Funeral Home, 819 High Street, Bath, Maine. Condolences may be made online at

www.daiglefuneralhome.com