Melvin Walker, 94, was born March 4, 1922, to Jesse and Lillie Walker. He grew up in the White Rock community with his parents and two brothers, Bill and Francis.
As a youth he was baptized in the Little Piney River. He graduated from Houston High School in May 1942. That same year in December, he left for three months training before boarding a ship for Africa where he encountered his first experiences in World War II. He went on from there to Sicily, then England, the beach at Normandy and then on to Germany. It was there he was wounded in the leg by fire from a German Plane. After staying in several hospitals then home to Houston, with five bronze stars, five campaign ribbons, a good conduct ribbon, a victory ribbon and a purple heart.
On April 13, 1946, he married Ida Robertson and lived in the Houston community, raising four children and loving and caring for many grandchildren. He attended First Christian Church in Houston for many years. He worked mostly in factories at International Shoe Company and Brown Shoe Company. He retired in 1984.
He loved to fish, hunt, camp, play cards, and play bingo. Now he is fishing with Jesus. He died Feb. 26, 2017, at his home in Houston, Mo.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one stillborn son, Michael; one infant sister, Virginia; and one brother, Francis.
He is survived by his wife, Ida; brother, Bill Walker of Licking Mo.; four children, Danny Walker of Houston, Debbie Harrison and her husband, Harold, of Houston, Dana Freeman and her husband, Jon, of Marionville, and Darin Walker and his wife, Angie, of Houston; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He will be missed by us all.
Services are 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 1, at Evans Funeral Home with Pastor Russ Stigall officiating. Burial will in Emery Cemetery. Pallbearers are Darin Walker, Danny Walker, Harold Harrison, Jon Freeman, Terry Chapman and Doug Walker.
Memorials may be made to the Emery Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be made at www.evansfh.com.
PAID
