William Walker, Jr

WALKER ~ Mr. William “Willie” Walker, Jr. (III), grandson of the late Alice McQueen; son of Mr. William Walker, Jr. (September 12, 1879 - April 02, 1985) and Ms. Sallie Gains Walker (August 14, 1882 – July 5, 1958) was born in Jefferson County, Monticello, Florida.

He was converted and baptized at an early age at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Monticello, Florida; after his marriage, he moved his membership to New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Waukeenah, Florida. There, he built a spiritual life around the family church and served as an active and Chairman Deacon over half a century. His example and devotion to service has helped many in the community.

Deacon Walker came from a family of very hard-working farmers.  He attended the local school, then public school system of Jefferson County.  Growing tobacco was one of his specialties and growing sugar cane was one of his signature crops; making homemade syrup from grinding sugar cane in November was one of his signature products.  He and his wife Nellie canned many additional products ~ figs and pears to name a few.  Deacon Walker was an excellent sportsman who loved to hunt and fish.  He was employed at Florida State University as a motor vehicle operator from 1953 until his retirement in the mid-nineties.  He was a member of the Masonic White Grove Lodge number 222.

Deacon Walker was not big on taking pictures…. he made it clear that what you do in life becomes your life story… nonmeaningful pictures are only a reflection to be interpreted by the viewing eyes.  Pure reflections need no interpretation.  Knowing Deacon Willie Walker, “Wobby”, “Wadell”, “Dec”… you had to get past his side cracking joke telling or his country sayings and enter a side of him that spoke the truth.  He always made it clear that education, studying and something most have forgotten “The Golden Rule”, in everything, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” is still important.

None of your business side note from one of his sons ~ On the day of Thanksgiving 2021, Deacon Walker acknowledged the presentation of small ‘thank you’ to those who continued the yearly Thanksgiving Gathering.  He sat at the Head Table and broke bread.  As the evening fell and the temperature changed, he walked back into the house, still talking, laughing and of course fussing about all of the attention he was getting.  From behind his eyes, “it was a beautiful sunshiny day, yard filled with family and friends.

He married Mother Nellie Marie Green Whitten October 13, 1954 and they shared a family of nine children, C. J. Johnson and his children, Debra Johnson-Plumber, C. J. Johnson Jr, Lorene Johnson, Bessie Johnson, Melissa Mills, Shirley Nixon, Wanda Henry, Tony Johnson, Clarence White; David King and his children, Gretchen King-Ashby, Charles King, Kelvin Ross-King, Marie Ross-King, Master S. King, Katrona King, Kenyatta King, Dametria C. King; Christine Delores McCloud and her daughter, Lanetta Watson-Howard; Roscoe  (Emily) Greene and his children, Alphonso Geathers, Tomeka Greene, Roderick Greene; Jerome (Glenda) Walker and his daughter Andrea K. Walker-Griffin, Elder Patricia Walker Baldwin and her son Judson Baldwin III; Lassie M. Walker (deceased 3/2021)  and her daughter, Cassandra Johnson; Ronnie C. Walker and his children, Courtney and Jadrein Walker; Willie B. Walker and his children, Rotisha, Nathan and William Walker; Elizabeth Jackson and her son, Jeremy Powell; Willie Walker and his children, Ya’Tae Walker, Trustin Walker and Crashawn Walker and her daughter, Yasmin Garmon. Deacon Walker also leaves to cherish his memory, sixty great grandchildren; eighteen great-great grandchildren; numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family and friends.

He would often say he climbed his mountain daily and cherished the meaning, “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.  Deacon Walker cherished every day of his life, the good and the bad. He learned to accept life challenges with acknowledgements and through “God”.  Deacon Walker would strike back with a solution, kindness and an open mind.  “Respect for my children kept the cigarette and bottle away from my body; and knowing, understanding and believing that “God” was the “Captain and Leader of My Ship and that all things were possible through “Him” helped me through the day. All Seeing Eye!”  Deacon Walker will be truly missed.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate the life of Deacon Willie Walker 11:00 AM Saturday, December 4, 2021, at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 8753 Waukeenah Highway.  Visitation FRIDAY from 4 – 6 PM at 1215 N Jefferson St, Monticello, FL.   Interment at Boland Community Cemetery.  Arrangements entrusted to A. L. Hall Funeral Directors, Inc and J. E. Fralin & Sons Funeral & Cremation Services.  

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