Wade Pepper Walker

Pepper, as he preferred to go by, was born on July 5, 1954 in Tazewell, Virginia to George Walker Sr. and Jean (née Gillespie) Walker.

A 1973 graduate of the Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, Pepper went on to graduate from the University of Denver with a degree in English literature and a minor in anthropology.

An avid, and award-winning, outdoorsman, Pepper divided his time between the Golden Isles and Ketchum, Idaho in order to enjoy skiing, fishing and bird hunting throughout the year.

He was an ardent conservationist who donated to numerous organizations, such as the Wood River Land Trust and Ducks Unlimited, to help preserve nature for future generations.

Pepper loved music, particularly the blues and the Grateful Dead, having followed them in his younger years on several tours and would replay concerts that moved him.

In 2005, Pepper married Alice Barnhill of St. Simons Island and gained three stepsons in the process with whom he created numerous life-long memories.

Married life suited Pepper and he spent his later years filling his time with gourmet cooking, trips to Harris Teeter and his nightly ritual of watching the Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy – during which he was not to be disturbed under penalty of a stern look and an elevated television volume. He was an avid reader and wordsmith who enjoyed completing the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle.

Pepper was preceded in death by his father, mother and brother George Jr. and is survived by his wife, Alice, and his stepsons, Benjamin Friedman, Samuel Friedman, Stephen Friedman and his wife Drew, and numerous cousins.

A private memorial service will be held by the family at Christ Church Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.edomillerandsons.com for the Walker family.