Ernest B. Walker

Ernest B. Walker (known by most as “Ernie” and his family lovingly called him “Papa”), age 93, of Stoneham, formerly of Medford, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2025 at home with his family by his side.

He was born in Kremlin, Oklahoma to Emma (Zelenka) and Ernest Walker. He was raised in Medford, Oklahoma and was a farmer and a cowboy.

He graduated Oklahoma State with his bachelor’s degree and was inducted into the Theta Kappa Phi Fraternity. After college, he joined the United States Navy and served as an Intelligence Specialist and achieved the rank of Lieutenant. He also received the National Defense Service Medal & Expert Pistol Shot Medal.

He married Eleanor Shannon in 1963 and they raised 3 children in Medford, Massachusetts and then moved to Stoneham, Massachusetts.

He worked as the health inspector in Melrose, Massachusetts but spent most of his time in Real Estate and became a Landlord of several properties. He was able to repair and fix anything. He did it all and provided the best for his family!

He loved spending time with family and their dogs - he was a dog lover and they always loved him back! He also loved watching sports in his free time, especially football.

Ernest is the beloved husband of Eleanor (Shannon) Walker. He is the cherished father of Steve Walker and his wife Bo, Kimberly Daigle and her husband Sheldon, and Gary Walker and his wife Bridgette. Loving grandfather of Christina Colucciello and her husband Claudio, Christopher Walker, Alyssa Daigle and fiancé Austin Shaughnessy, Tyler Daigle, Melanie Walker, Nick Walker, Luna Walker, and Luka Walker. Great grandfather of Gemma, Leonardo, Rocco, and Reina. Dear brother of Judy Lipsett and her husband Eugene and the late Deloris Kilian and her late husband Ben and the late Ramona Kilian and her late husband Bob. Ernest is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are kindly invited to gather and share memories with the family in the Barile Family Funeral Home at 482 Main St. in Stoneham on Monday July 28th, 2025 from 8:30am to 9:30am, followed by a Funeral Mass Celebrating Ernest's Eternal Life in St. Patrick Church at 71 Central St. in Stoneham at 10am. Interment will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery in Stoneham.

Please consider donations in memory of Ernest to Catholic Television by visiting https://www.catholictv.org/ or to Veteran's of Foreign Wars by visiting https://www.vfw.org/