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Willis Walker

Willis C. Walker, 99, of Carrollton passed away in Sunday, June 30, 2013 after a brief illness.

Born March 1, 1914 in Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, he was a son of the late Robert Earl and Eva Pickens Walker.

He grew up in Adena attending school there and graduating from Adena High School in 1933. He was a 1937 graduate of Muskingum College with a degree in business administration and while attending college was a member of the Alban Club.

While attending Muskingum College he managed farms in Adena and Mt. Pleasant thus developing his interest in farming. In July of 1953 he entered into a partnership with his father and brother as R.E. Walker and Sons, building coal tipples in the Jefferson County area as well as helping to operate the Adena Hardware. Branching out, he moved to Cadiz, Ohio and managed the International Harvester Farm equipment dealership. In 1960 he closed the dealership and moved to Carrollton and became the branch and field manager for Production Credit Association working with tri-county area farmers advising them on farm management with his experience on farm equipment and agricultural practices.

Willis helped establish, organize, and serve on the Daffodil Dairy Sale committee and served on the FHA Board.

He was a very active member of the Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church having served on the Administrative Board, Trustees, and 25 years as church auditor. Willis was always interested and supportive of the youth program, working to establish and fund a Mt. Pleasant Church Scholarship Fund.

Willis was a member of the F&AM Lodge for over 75 years and a 32nd Degree member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Steubenville for 63 years. He was initiated an Entered Apprentice at the Smithfield Lodge #182 in June of 1938, passed the degree of Fellowcraft in October of 1938, and raised to the degree of Master Mason in December of 1938 in Smithfield Lodge #182. In November 1949 he dimitted to Harrison Lodge #219.

In addition to his parents Willis was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Estelle (McMillen) Walker; two sisters, Mary E. Walker and Margaret E. Walker; and his brother, Robert W. Walker.

He is survived by two daughters, Mary Jane (Ron) May of Lisbon and Jo Ann C. Walker of Carrollton; son, John C. (Gail) Walker of Carrollton; three grandchildren, Mark (Amy) Kirkland, Kay (Scott) Washam, William (Regan) Kirkland; eleven great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; and eight nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Saturday, July 6, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in Mt. Pleasant Church with Rev. Carl Orphanides officiating. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery.

7/4/13

Willis Walker

Willis C. Walker, 99, of Carrollton passed away in Sunday, June 30, 2013 after a brief illness.

Born March 1, 1914 in Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, he was a son of the late Robert Earl and Eva Pickens Walker.

He grew up in Adena attending school there and graduating from Adena High School in 1933. He was a 1937 graduate of Muskingum College with a degree in business administration and while attending college was a member of the Alban Club.

While attending Muskingum College he managed farms in Adena and Mt. Pleasant thus developing his interest in farming. In July of 1953 he entered into a partnership with his father and brother as R.E. Walker and Sons, building coal tipples in the Jefferson County area as well as helping to operate the Adena Hardware. Branching out, he moved to Cadiz, Ohio and managed the International Harvester Farm equipment dealership.

In 1960 he closed the dealership and moved to Carrollton and became the branch and field manager for Production Credit Association working with tri-county area farmers advising them on farm management with his experience on farm equipment and agricultural practices.

Willis helped establish, organize, and serve on the Daffodil Dairy Sale committee and served on the FHA Board.

He was a very active member of the Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church having served on the Administrative Board, Trustees, and 25 years as church auditor. Willis was always interested and supportive of the youth program, working to establish and fund a Mt. Pleasant Church Scholarship Fund.

Willis was a member of the F&AM Lodges of Cadiz for over 75 years and a 33rd Degree member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Steubenville.

In addition to his parents Willis was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Estelle (McMillen) Walker; two sisters, Mary E. Walker and Margaret E. Walker; and his brother, Robert W. Walker.

He is survived by a sister, Mary Jane (Ron) May of Lisbon; daughter Jo Ann C. Walker of Carrollton; son, John C. (Gail) Walker of Carrollton; three grandchildren, Mark (Amy) Kirkland, Kay (Scott) Washam, William (Regan) Kirkland; eleven great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; and eight nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Saturday, July 6, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in Mt. Pleasant Church with Rev. Carl Orphanides officiating. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Sweeney-Dodds Funeral Home in Carrollton with Masonic Services at 8 p.m. and one hour prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Mt. Pleasant Scholarship Fund, c/o Mt. Pleasant Church, 89 Canyon Rd SW, Carrollton, OH 44615.

7/3/13