Norman William Walker

GARNER- Norman William Walker passed away peacefully at Rex Hospital early Saturday morning, January 6, 2018, after several years of declining health. Born January 2, 1930 in Durham County, he was the son of Roy Jones Walker and Viola Wheeler Walker. He moved to Garner, NC at twelve years old and later to Raleigh, NC. He returned to Garner, NC in 1978. Norman is survived by wife Jacquelyn (Jackie) Walker, daughter Wanda Walker, Walla Walla, Washington, step-daughter Stephanie Dunnagan Tabor, Pittsboro, NC, great-granddaughters, Noelle Crofoot, Garner, NC and Destiny Pena, Las Vegas, Nevada, great-great granddaughter Eva Emul, sisters Annie Lou Andrews, Durham, NC and Rosalind Woolard, Raleigh, NC, nephews Ken Walker, Garner, NC, Dale and Dennis Woolard, Raleigh, NC, nieces Joanna Russell, Durham, NC and Donna Woolard, Raleigh, NC, brother- in-law Gene Richardson and wife Patricia, Ponderosa Community, Clarksville, Va, furbabies Marley, Ali and Gus. In addition to his parents, Norman was preceded in death by brother, Roy Jones Walker, Jr, sister Charline Walker, mother of his daughter Wanda, Ruth Hunt Walker, and granddaughter Carla Lynn Clayton. After 31 years of service with the Raleigh Fire Department, Norman retired in 1983 as Assistant Chief. In earlier years he also worked with Lowes Home Improvement. He was a past member of Emanuel Baptist Church, Raleigh, NC, and current member of Turner Memorial Baptist Church, Garner, NC. He served as President of Panther Branch Community Club House for many years. He was a longtime supporter of the Wolfpack Scholarship Program with NC State University, Raleigh, NC. Norman immensely enjoyed his 40 years at Kerr Lake on camping trips with his best friends, Rufus and Sue Keith, sons Danny and Brian. In 1970 he built a house in the Ponderosa Community at Kerr Lake and enjoyed boating, fishing, skiing, and the lifelong friendships of those living at the lake, including his friends Jack Holt, E.R. “NUG” Laws, Robert Laws, Cecil Wilkins, and John Swartz. He enjoyed many years of travel to SuperClubs Breezes, Nassau, Bahamas with Jerry and Martha Leitschuh of Greenville, NC, and the many friendships developed over 25 years of traveling to the island. Norman also enjoyed his travels in the USA with his close friends Walt Latta, Ronnie Atkinson, Bruce Jefferies, and Rowland Jones. He looked forward to the monthly meals with his close friends of 40 years, James and Doris Hunnicutt. He was a great lover of his many furbabies thru the years and enjoyed filling multiple bird feeders with sunflower seeds, and watching the different birds come feed. Deep appreciation and thanks to Dr. Brendan McNulty, Hematology/Oncology, his wonderful staff, and E. Brooks Wilkins, Family Medicine and nurse Pattie, and to the staff at UNC Rex HealthCare for their care and compassion. Family visitation will be held at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 1200 Benson Road, Garner, NC, on Wednesday, January 10th from 1:00-2:00 pm, with a memorial service at 2:00 pm following the visitation. Burial will be at Montlawn Memorial Park, 2911 S. Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC with the Raleigh Fire Department Honor Guard assisting. In memory of Norman’s life, memorial contributions may be made to Wake County SPCA, 200 Petfinder Lane, Raleigh, NC 27603 or to Mills Home Baptist Childrens Home, PO Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361.