Will Walker

Friday afternoon, April 4, 2025, we lost a wonderful man. After a short illness caused by complications from recent surgery. Will Walker, age 68, died at Norfolk Heart Hospital with wife, Jonna, his family and a few close friends at his side.
If you had to choose a word to describe Will Walker, it would be generous. Not just in the way he gave-though he gave abundantly-but in how he lived, how he welcomed others, and how he showed up for his church, his friends, and his community.
Will gave from the heart. When he received inheritances or unexpected blessings, he didn't hold them tightly-he turned them into gifts. The beautiful new silver vessels used in the Old Donation Church, and the sign that will soon be at the end of the Old Donation drive are just two lasting signs of his generosity. But even more than things, Will gave of himself. His time, his talents, his home-all were offered freely, with joy.
Will served on vestry twice, bringing thoughtful care to the church's leadership. He was part of the search committee that called Bob Randall, a role that showed his commitment to the future of the parish. He led the youth group with heart, helping to shape the faith journeys of so many young people.
Will had a gift for hospitality that turned strangers into friends. He and Jonna opened their home often-welcoming couch-surfers, visitors in town on business, or anyone who needed a warm bed and kind company. They hosted foyer dinner groups and were always at the heart of any celebration. Their joy was contagious, and their style-always just a little bit fabulous-made them stand out in the best way.
Even in his hobbies, Will found ways to give. Since his retirement, Will volunteered at the Norfolk SPCA, helping the dogs get used to men (many have been mistreated by a man). Will adopted various dogs and cats from the SPCA over the years. He also, took up beekeeping, and instead of keeping it to himself, he established the Old Donation bee ministry. The honey was sold during the church's Fall Oyster Roast. He didn't just tend the hives; he taught others how to care for them too, always excited to share what he knew. He brewed his own beer for many years, until a brewery, Commonweath, was built a few blocks from his home. Will and Jonna hosted an Oktoberfest party at his home every year for their brew club HRBTS. He traveled extensively before he married, and continued to take exciting trips abroad every year. He loved visiting castles and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Many trips were with his friends from his beer club. Other trips were to visit all those various guests he hosted over the years, including two young brothers from Spain, Juan & Pablo Neves, who each spent one year of High School (but ten years apart) with the Walkers. Their family is now Will's family. Will also like to invest and dabbled in the stock market. He liked to keep his mind busy. He loved the beach, he loved sailing, owning several smaller sail boats. Most of all he love his friends and making new friends where ever he went.
Will graduated from Virginia Tech in 1981, he was an mechanical engineer by training, a problem-solver, and a builder-skills he used to renovate and care for the homes he owned and shared, and to strengthen the foundations of this church family he loved so deeply. And even in death, Will gave the ultimate gift-he was a tissue & eye donor. In his final act of generosity, he offered hope to others, a testament to the kind of man he was: someone who never stopped giving. Will Walker lived with open hands and an open heart. His generosity wasn't just about money or time-it was a posture, a way of being. He offered what he had, whenever he could, however he could. And in doing so, he left behind a legacy of love, faith, and community that will be felt for years to come.
Left to cherish Will's memories are his wife Jonna-Dawn Walker, his sister Lisa Watkins, her husband Frazer, his brother Mitch Walker, his wife Dawn, a sister-in-law DeVonne M.Vanagas, his nephews Ian Watkins, significant other Kim Hamlin, twins Harrison & William Walker, Max Vanagas, Sam Vanagas, significant other Jenny Thomas, their daughter Naomi, his nieces DeVonne R. Vanagas, Emily Elliott and husband Jake, their children Avery and Hayes, Sara Vanagas, Katie Agula and husband Gabriel, their daughter Adeline. Also, Will's very important pets, his two dogs Samoa and Logan and two cats Silvia and Scarlett (his favorite three legged ginger cat).
Please keep Will and Jonna in your prayers.
The church service for Will is to be at Old Donation Episcopal Church on Witchduck Road, just off Independence Blvd
at 1pm on Saturday May 17. Everyone is welcome to attend. There will be a reception after the service.
The Celebration of Will's life will be at Commonwealth Brewery on Sunday May 18 from noon to 3pm. Again everyone is welcome, they have more than just beer there.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Norfolk SPCA www.norfolkspca.com.
Contact Cara Olsen (donor relations manager) 757-622-3319 colsen@norfolkspca.org