William J. (Bill) Walker

William J. (Bill) Walker, 86, of Lufkin, was born May 18, 1926 in Alto, Texas to the late Richard Coke Walker and Mellanie Campbell Walker. He passed away Saturday, April 28, 2012 in a local hospice facility. Mr. Walker was retired from the city of Lufkin after many years as a heavy equipment operator. He loved to garden, mow and travel in his trailer. One of his favorite things was to sit on the front porch, listen to music and watch birds and people pass by. He was a member of Victory Assembly of God and the Lufkin Masonic Lodge #669 A.F. & A.M. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Jo (Farris) Walker of Lufkin; daughter, Karen Kay Thompson and husband Stephen of Mooringsport, Louisiana; son, Danny Joe Walker and wife Lynn of Bay City, Texas; daughter-in-law, Kathleen Walker of Georgetown, Texas; 7 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Sammie Wade, Georgia Warren, Bobbie Reese and Mary Shoemaker; brother-in-law, John Paul Shoemaker; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

Mr. Walker was preceded in death by his parents; son, William Dale Walker; brothers, Garland Walker, Marlin Walker, Richard Walker and Eugene Walker; sister, Grace Buchanan.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Melanie Devore, Mary Jane Hembree, Helen and Garland Baker, Mary Beth Shoemaker, Hospice in the Pines, and the ICU staff at Woodland Heights Medical Center for the outstanding care and compassion you all have shown.

Pallbearers for Mr. Walker will be his nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Victory Assembly of God Church, 1405 S. Chestnut, Lufkin, Texas 75901; or to the Childrens Medical Center, 2350 Stemmons Freeway (I-35E), Dallas, Texas 75207, in the name of Kendall Grace Eddings.

Services for Mr. Walker will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 1, 2012 in the Gipson Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Garland Baker officiating. Interment will follow at Ivey Cemetery in Nogalus Prairie.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, April 30, 2012 at Gipson Funeral Home.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home