Philip Carlin Walker

Philip Carlin Walker passed from this life into eternity with Jesus Christ on July 5, 2022, from a cascade of medical complications. Philip was preceded in death by his older brother, Harley Reginald Walker, Jr. in 1963, his father, Harley Reginald Walker in 1983, and his mother, Helen Carlin Walker in 2006.

Philip was born the second son to Helen Carlin and Harley Reginald Walker on July 17, 1945. His first residence was 2317 Addison Road, Houston, TX, then 10724 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX where he lived through high school. In 1952, at age six, Philip rode the entire three-day-inaugural journey of the Salt Grass Trail with his father who had the first wagon to officially carry U.S. Mail on the trail. The USPS even placed a special “PONY EXPRESS” stamp on each letter to cancel the stamp. The two continued riding the trail for many years to follow.

Philip was a very bright youngster and the teacher’s pet in fourth grade. Once, when Mrs. Teague bent over to retrieve something she had dropped, Philip whacked her on the posterior with his clipboard! No doubt he thought it was a show of affection.

Following graduation from Memorial High School in 1964, Philip enrolled at the University of Houston and promptly accumulated 21 speeding violations in 60 days, resulting in a letter from Homer Garrison voiding his driver’s license. Philip earned no college credits at U of H. He enrolled briefly at South Texas Junior College before volunteering for military service.

In October of 1966 he joined the United States Navy. After boot camp he trained at the telecommunications school in Pensacola, FL. Upon completion he was assigned to Scotland, then the Philippines, then onto the USS Newport News and later the USS St. Paul. He was honorably discharged in July of 1970 having received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

In 1971, at age 26, he enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance. Following graduation in 1973 he was hired by Austin National Bank to write employee benefit plans and later became a Trust Officer. He married Audrey Ellen Craig in 1978. In 1980 they welcomed a daughter, Elaine, into their family and in 1982 a son, Blair. During this time he had a brief stint in home building until the real estate crash of the 1980’s.

In 1986, he and a friend started Cypress Valley Preserve, a sporting clay and hunting club. The club was first located in Blanco County. In 1992 Philip moved the club to Williamson County, and it had an active club membership from 1995 to 2016.

The Bachelors of Austin was an organization dear to Philip. Founded in 1933 purely as a social club, Philip relished in its traditions. The club’s initial purpose was to promote fellowship among its members and further the social scene of Austin. Later, the club began presenting debutantes. As quoted by Philip, “The Presentation Ball is a ritual that was fun for everyone. It helped the women develop poise and confidence and it was a chance for them to formally meet people. The winter ball introduced them to society and was a way to present the women for dating and marital eligibility.” Philip became a member in 1974 and served as President in 1978.

Philip is survived by Auddie Walker, wife of 41 years, a sister, Jennifer Walker, a daughter, Elaine (Asa) Trull, their two children, Auddie and Meyer, a son, Blair (Molly) Walker, and their two children, Lilly and Grant.

A Memorial Service will be held July 12th at 2:00PM in the Smith Family Chapel at Riverbend Church located at 4214 North Capital of Texas Highway, Austin, Texas 78746. There will be a private interment of ashes at Remembrance Gardens of Riverbend Church on a later date.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to either:

Austin Ridge Bible Church, 9300 Bee Cave Road, Austin, Texas 78733 or visit the giving page: https://www.austinridge.org/giving/

Riverbend Church, 4214 North Capital of Texas Highway, Austin, Texas 78746 or visit the giving page: http://www.riverbend.com/give Outreach Ministries