George Raymond Walker

PHOENIX – George Raymond Walker, 83, son of Altha & Ray Walker was born February 5, 1940 in Phoenix, AZ. He died February 16, 2023 in Scottsdale, Arizona. George and his wife Nancy, married in 1965. Together they had three children, Valerie, Andrew and Robert, four grandchildren, Kaileigh, Caroline, Ian and Roman and one great grandchild, Wee Andrew.

George attended Longview School, making lifelong friends that he got together with every year. It was well known that once you became his friend, he kept you for life. Moving to Yuma his senior year of high school George graduated, appreciating the school’s unique mascot, “The Criminals”. Even through the height of the covid-19 pandemic, he wore his Criminal mask proudly and attended reunions regularly.

Following in the steps of his grandfather and father, George began his career at APS after graduating high school. Beginning in the Phoenix garage, he became the first third generation to work for the company. George held assignments in Phoenix, Coolidge, Winslow, and Prescott. He returned to Phoenix where he eventually retired after 35-years of employment.

A man of service and community, George joined Phoenix Scottish Pipe Band in 1967, where he soon became the Pipe Major. He played in parades across the state. At one time George also served as Pipe Major of the El Zaribah Shrine Pipe Band.

While living in Prescott, George became an active Mason—extremely proud of what it represented. When he returned to Phoenix, George became Master of Paradise Valley Lodge #61 in 1988 near the family’s home while always remaining a member of Aztlan Lodge #1 in Prescott. He was very active in many other Masonic organizations.

Beyond his life of service as a Mason, George’s love for volunteering with many community organizations included the Boy Scouts, the Veterans Hospital, APS Retirees Association, and Navigators at Sky Harbor International Airport.

Passionate about cars, a lifelong pastime of building and rebuilding cars saw him to the end. Still working on his 1932 Fords, and attending car shows, George was proud to boast 220,000 miles on his red 1932 Ford, which he drove all over the United States and to Canada, twice. George and Nancy hosted eleven Arizona Deuce Days car shows, with all of the proceeds benefiting the Early Ford V-8 Museum where George served as a Trustee.

George enjoyed retirement and loved time with his children and grandchildren. He was proud of all of them and enjoyed having them over to play and wrestle. George truly enjoyed his life.

A private celebration of life will commence April 1st at 2:00pm.

For information and directions, https://pp.events/georgewalker or call (480)442-2411.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Shriners Children’s Hospital are appreciated.