Robert Dawes Walker Sr.

Bob was born on April 4, 1921, in Columbia, South Carolina, to Hilda Dawes Walker and Jesse Bennett Walker. He attended public schools in Greensboro, NC, and Guilford College until entering the United States Army Air Corps. He spent four years as an aerial gunnery instructor. In November 1942, he married Gertrude (Trudy) Covington of Laurinburg, NC. After Bob was discharged from the military, they moved to Raleigh where they lived until her death in 1985. In 1949, after working for several years in the dental supply industry, Bob became co-owner and president of Walker-Sizer Dental Company, which later merged with Healthco Dental, an international dental firm. For many years he was a faithful and active member of Hayes Barton Methodist Church. He was a member of the Stag Club, which he served as president, and the Raleigh Lions Club. Bob was a founding member of North Ridge Country Club and served on the first appointed Board of Governors.

Throughout his life, he enjoyed playing golf and traveling. He has visited all 50 states, most of Europe and much of the Far East. Known by his friends as "Hoss", he had a generous nature and was famous for his supply of jokes.

Bob was preceded in death by his first wife, Trudy; sisters, Hilda Cox of Charlotte and Mary Garrett of High Point; brother, J.B. Walker, Jr., of Texas; and daughter, Jane Walker Perkinson of Winston-Salem.

He is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Carole Madden Walker; daughter, Margaret (Peggy) Walker Ramseur and husband, Bob; son, Robert (Bob) Dawes Walker, Jr., and wife, Lynne; seven grandchildren, Robert James Ramseur, Jr., and wife, Amanda, Kathryn Ramseur Keith and husband, Jamie, Robert Dawes Walker, III, John Bowen (Bo) Walker and wife Suzanne, Mary Covington Walker Coleman, and husband Ed, John Robert Perkinson, Jr., and wife Kim, and Trudy Perkinson Roberts and husband, Bernie; step-children, Cheri Woods Taylor and Casey Dean Woods. "Big Hoss" will also be missed by his six great-grandchildren: Robert Ramseur, Walker Ramseur, Meghan Keith, Lauren Keith, Free Perkinson, and Wilder Walker. Bob is also survived by many cherished friends, several nieces and nephews and his beloved Yorkshire terrier, Angel.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Transitions Life Care, 250 Hospice Ct., Raleigh, NC 27607, or charity of your choice. The family will receive friends at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 E. Millbrook Rd., Raleigh, NC on Monday, November 3, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. To 8:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held on November 4, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. At Millbrook United Methodist Church, 1712 E. Millbrook, Raleigh, NC.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.brownwynnemillbrook.com