Willard Walker

Willard Windoll Walker, Jr., 90, WWII Veteran of Pasadena, TX passed away June 1, 2016.

Willard (also known as Bill) was born February 11, 1926 in Gainesville, Texas to Willard and Exie Mae Walker. He was the oldest of 4 children. At the age of 9 he went to live with his grandparents, Joseph and Katheryn Mae Walker of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. He was a hard worker from a young age and would recount stories of working on the farm and fixing trucks and tractors. His journey as the "I can fix it" man began.

When the United States declared War on Japan and entered WWII, he was determined to serve his country. The day after he turned 17, in 1943, he enlisted in the US Navy. There he became a Master Mechanic working on airplanes. He received an honorable discharge from the Navy on April 30, 1946.

After returning to Texas from the war he met Betty Ruth Schluep who on the day she met him wrote in her diary "Today I met a boy named BILL". Betty and Bill were married on October 12, 1946. They were happily married for 68 years until she passed away February 19, 2013. They were blessed with four children. The Walker's were a driving family. They took many camping vacations, trips to State Parks and visits to out of state relatives. He also loved to take pictures to document the family history. Willard loved cars and driving. He was very proud that he and Betty had driven to 49 state capitals and regretted that he missed Alaska. One vacation in late 50's he remembered driving home to Houston from Carlsbad Caverns NM. with only $12.95 left in his pocket. After that he got credit cards. Willard retired from Sears Roebuck Co. after more than 30 years. While working at Sears to support his wife and 3 young girls he put himself through college. He earned a BA in Accounting from the University of Houston in 1954. He put this degree to work by working tax seasons for H&R Block. In 1961 he and Betty were blessed with their only son, there was now a Willard W Walker III.

Willard was a member of American Legion Post 521 and enjoyed being there with friends and fellow veterans. He loved to dance and was an avid collector of antiques, rifles, and especially coins. He enjoyed watching baseball, gardening, and playing dominos, especially a competitive game of forty-two. He was pretty hard to beat.

In 2012, Willard moved to the Parson's House Assisted Living, in La Porte TX, were he lived happily until his death on June 1, 2016. While at Parson's he continued to be a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather. He continued to attend the American Legion for Monday night dominos. He even fell in love with two wonderful ladies, Faye Martin who passed away in early 2014 and Norita Hill, to which he was recently engaged.

Willard is survived by his three daughters, Wanda Lee Hattaway and husband Bill of Vero Beach, FL, Deborah Jo Walker of Houston, TX, and Janet Lynn Traylor and husband Tony of Baytown, TX and son Willard (Bill) Windoll Walker, III of St. Louis, MO; three granddaughters and husbands Lori and Gary VanSciver,, Carrie and Jonathan Cronkhite, Jacquelyn and Chris Gonzalez; and eight great-grandchildren Kyle and Carly VanSciver, Gabrielle, Sophie, Caleb, Joshua, and Bethany Cronkhite, and Kinley Gonzalez; and his brother Wayne. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Exie Mae; his sisters Voleta and Eva Jo; and the love of his life, wife Betty.

A celebration of life will be held Tuesday, June 7, 2016. Visitation will be held 9 till 10:30 am followed by service at Grandview Funeral Home, 8501 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena, TX 77505. Reverend Jim Gill will be officiating. Burial will follow at Grandview Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Legion Post 521, 2221 Preston Ave, Pasadena, TX 77503.