JAMES R. WALKER

1931 - 2022

PHILIPSBURG - James R. Walker, of Philipsburg, passed away on March 6, 2022 at the age of 90.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Shirley Sellers Walker; and his parents, James P. and Ruth Hoffner Walker.

Mr. Walker is lovingly remembered by his four children, Gregory Walker of Orlando Fla., Dani Moore and her husband Doug Stiebeling of Tryon, N.C., Scott Walker of Boise, Idaho, and Doug Walker and his partner Bethany Folmar of Philipsburg. He is also survived by three grandchildren, McKenzie Zazworsky, Kurtis Walker and Benjamin Walker; and two great-grandchildren, Mason Walker and Charlee Gray Zazworsky.

Born in Philipsburg on April 9, 1931, he graduated from Philipsburg High School in 1949 and attended Lock Haven State College. In 1957, he married the former Shirley Gray Sellers, and they remained married until her death in August 2021.

Mr. Walker was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Philipsburg, where he served as a lector and a eucharistic minister and was a member of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul. He was also a member of the Holy Family Council No. 8701 Knights of Columbus, Morrisdale, where he served as a trustee and in several other offices.

Mr. Walker served his nation proudly in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He also served his community for many years with the American Red Cross where he was assistant director of the blood program for the Moshannon District, and he served as a member and president of the Board of Directors of the Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District. Additionally, Mr. Walker was a member of Post No. 6 American Legion at Clearfield and was a longtime member and past exalted ruler and trustee of B.P.O. Elks Lodge No. 1173 in Philipsburg.

His career was spent with the Bell Telephone Co. of PA/ Bell Atlantic from which he retired in 1993. In his leisure time through the years he hunted and fished with his sons and grandsons, enjoyed camping with his family and working his garden in the summer. After his retirement, he enjoyed his Friday golf foursome, taking drives and day trips with his wife, Shirley, and spending time with his beloved dogs, Maggie and Max.

A funeral service will be held at the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 719 E. Spruce St., Philipsburg on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at noon, with Deacon Jerry Nevling officiating.

Visitation will be at the funeral home on Tuesday from 11 a.m. until the time of the funeral service.

Interment will be in Summit Hill Cemetery, RD Morrisdale.

Military Honors will be accorded by the Philipsburg American Legion Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jim's memory to Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 400 S. Fourth St., Philipsburg, Pa 16866, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.beezerheathfh.com.