William Eugene Walker

William (Bill) Eugene Walker, 92, a long-time resident of Anacortes, WA, passed away August 10, 2023, peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones. He was born August 1, 1931, in Texarkana AR. He moved to Seattle in 1944 and although he grew up in Arkansas, Texas and Alabama, he adopted Seattle as his new home. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1949. After High School he enlisted and served 4 years in the Navy with his final 3 in the Korean War as a radio operator aboard the USS Kaskaskia and USS Namakagon. Bill used morse code so extensively that he occasionally entertained his family by sending morse code messages to decipher even 60 years later. Upon his discharge from the Navy, he enrolled at the University of Washington and, in 1958, graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering. While attending UW he married Janice Kay Merritt, the love of his life, in June of 1957. They had a wonderful 65 years of marriage.
Once graduated from UW, Bill went to work for Shell Oil at the Anacortes refinery in 1958. He and Janice loved living in Anacortes and always knew they wanted to end up there later in life. During his career at Shell, he was promoted and transferred to Houston TX (3 times), Denver CO, Farmington NM, Midland TX, New Orleans LA, and Indianapolis IN. Each place offered him unique opportunities to fish and hunt, which were some of his favorite hobbies. After leaving Shell he worked in real estate for many years in Houston and then the Seattle area after relocating back up to the Pacific Northwest in 1992. Upon retiring he and Janice moved back to Anacortes in 2001 where he volunteered with Island Hospital installing lifelines for several years.
Bill enjoyed playing golf during his working career years and later traveling and cruising with Janice to Europe, Asia, Africa and domestic destinations. He was an avid sports fan and closely followed all Seattle teams, but nothing was more important than watching his Husky football.
Bill is survived by sons Clint Walker (Ann), Blake Walker (Brenda), Wade Walker (Cass), daughter Kelly Walker, and grandchildren Travis, Matthew, Miles, and Kaia. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Janice, parents Walter & Opal (Jackie), brother Greg Hezel, and daughter Susan Gonzalez. A family memorial service will be held at a future date and location.