James S Walker's Obituary
James Samuel Walker, 97 years of age, passed away February 18, 2018 in St. Petersburg Florida surrounded by his family. Mr. Walker lived in the Atlanta area for 93 years, moving in June 2014 to St. Petersburg, Florida to be near Norman, Anita & Phillip Walker. Jim was born September 1st, 1920 in Mountain View Georgia to Samuel James Walker & Emma Dodson Walker. He was one of four children growing up in Mountain View Georgia, once known as Rough and Ready. He joined the Army Air Corps in June of 1941. During World War II he was a B-25 tail gunner and flew 50 missions in the Central Pacific Theater. He was discharged at Camp Shelby, Mississippi in September 1945. In 1942 he met the love of his life, Helen Frances Wilson, through two mutual friends and on September 26, 1944 they were married. They have been blessed with 73 years of marriage. He loved his wife and children dearly. Jim and Helen have 2 children, Brenda Joyce Walker and James Norman Walker and daughter-in-law, Anita Willis Walker. He was the proud grandfather to Dawn, Phillip & Nicholas and a very special great granddaughter, Camille. He is also survived by his sister Margaret Speir, who just celebrated her 101st birthday. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews who loved Uncle Jim and many caring friends who admired and respected his tenacity for learning, travel and passion for life. Mr. Walker was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church Tucker of Tucker, Georgia. After WWII Jim began working with Georgia Power and then in 1950 began his life long work with the Transportation System which is now known as Atlanta Transit or MARTA. He retired after 30 dedicated years and began farming his land in Lilburn Georgia with his beloved wife, Helen, by his side. They built their own home on the “Pea Patch” in Lilburn and lived there over 40 years. They had fun traveling with Elder Hostel programs, fishing in Florida with very special friends, golfing, Bee handling, wine making and farming their land.
The Family would like to thank the staff of Addington Place at College Harbor and the staff at St. Anthony’s Hospital of St. Petersburg, Florida for the wonderful care of our Father. A memorial service will be held at Addington Place.
Jim was blessed to participate in an Honor Flight to Washington DC in May of 2015 with his son Norman Walker. In lieu of flowers a donation may be sent to Honor Flight of West Central Florida
P.O. Box 55661 St. Petersburg, FL 33732 (info@honorflight of wcf.org) or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital [email protected] or by mail: 501 St. Jude Place Memphis TN 38105 or by phone: 800-805-5856
Memorial Park Funeral Home of St. Petersburg, Florida is assisting the family and the memorial registry is available at www.memorialparkfuneralhome.com
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