William Harry Walker

Harry Walker, age 92, went peacefully to his eternal home during the early morning hours of September 16, 2024. Having been a resident at Homestead Village for about eight years; his ready smile and friendly manner will be missed by both staff and residents. Harry was born on July 15, 1932 to John and Virginia Walker in Muskogee, OK. After graduating from Central High School in 1951, he enlisted in the United States Air Force during August, 1952. Sent to Pensacola for training, he met Judy McLellan, whom he married in 1953 and continued to call his “bride” until her passing 68 years later. Harry’s duty stations included Anchorage, AK and then Biloxi, MS before leaving the USAF in August, 1956. His military service remained one of his proudest endeavors, as evidenced by his expansive collection of USAF memorabilia. He never lost his sentimental feelings for all veterans who selflessly serve the country he so loved. To be called a patriot would make him so happy. Upon separation from service, Harry and Judy returned to Pensacola, where they raised their family and put down roots for life. Harry trained to become an electrician, a perfect trade for someone who had the most innate ability to fix just about anything. He began working at Chemstrand Corporation in Cantonment, FL, which later became Monsanto, and he remained there until his retirement in 1986. Besides his job at Monsanto, Harry took an interest in refereeing basketball and umpiring baseball in his spare time. In 1964 he was instrumental in starting the Cantonment Officials Association, which provided officials for basketball, baseball, softball and volleyball in the Pensacola area for years. He earned a reputation for having a quiet but certain authority, an impeccable appearance and an impressive mastery of the technical aspects of officiating. This professional approach to the job was consistent without regard to the age of the athletes or the skill level at which they played the game. Officiating became a career in and of itself. His accolades and accomplishments in the field made him known far and wide. He earned the privilege of umpiring the Dixie Youth Little Leage World Series in 1968 as well as the All-Star Basketball game for the State of Florida in 1969. Harry officiated basketball at every level from High School to Junior and University Collegiate-level games. He umpired baseball from little league to the collegiate level. Consequently, he rarely went out without meeting former athletes, coaches or officials that always had a warm greeting for the one they considered the pro. He also inspired his two sons to follow his example: Harry II has become an accomplished basketball/volleyball referee, and John was likewise a reputable baseball umpire. They considered their dad’s legacy of professionalism in knowledge, appearance and demeanor as the minimal standard for their own work in the field. Harry and Judy were active members of East Brent Baptist Church, where Harry served as a Deacon and became known as the guy who could fix just about any maintenance issue that came up. In fact, he proudly worked for the church as their Handyman for a short time after his retirement from Monsanto. He brought the same diligence and work ethic to every job he ever had. Harry is now reunited with those gone on ahead of him: Judy, the love of his life, John, his younger son, Mitchell, his grandson, John and Virginia, his parents, Marie, his sister, and Doug, his youngest brother. Just as in life, there was no doubt a host of extended family and friends who joined in his homecoming. He is survived by his remaining three children: Cindi (Scott) Manley, Roswell, GA; Harry Walker II, Pensacola; and Suzanne (Scott) McCullough, Pawleys Island, SC. He proudly wore the name “Pawpaw” to seven surviving grandchildren: Madison Walker, Pensacola; Jackson Manley, Frederick, MD; Jordan Walker, San Diego, CA; Harry Walker III, Pensacola; Morgan (Preston) Ingram, Northport, AL; Sarah McCullough, Robbinsdale, MN; and Marissa Walker, Pensacola. He was great grandfather to Sloane Ingram and John Walker Ingram, Northport, AL. He was greatly loved by his children and grandchildren and just the mention of Pawpaw still elicits smiles and laughter. Harry continued to stay in regular contact with his surviving siblings: an identical twin brother, Larry, Bethany, OK; Pat (Ginger), Tulsa, OK; and Steve (Carol), Carrollton, TX, as well as the combined eight children of all his siblings. Harry and Judy could make friends feel like family. They continued to do so with the friends of all their children and even the friends of their grandchildren. Theirs was a family home – full of talk and laughter and food and fellowship. All those who knew the Walkers still miss the humor and warmth and love that emanated from the house on Keating Road. Even as Harry and Judy pass on to their Heavenly home, their singular impact on family and friends lives on. A memorial service is scheduled for Monday, October 7, 2024, 3:00 pm at Faith Chapel South, 100 Beverly Parkway, Pensacola, 32505. A private inurnment ceremony at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS, Pensacola, will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, we humbly request that donations be made to Building Homes for Heroes via the link below. The mission of the organization is to provide financial assistance to those veterans striving to achieve the dream of home ownership. https://help.buildinghomesforheroes.org/WilliamHarryWalker.

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William Harry Walker

July 15, 1932 - September 16, 2024