Harold D Walker

PEKIN ~ Harold D. Walker, 94, of Pekin, passed away peacefully at 10:05 a.m. Monday, March 16, 2009 at his residence with his family and his devoted caregiver, Beverly Carrington at his side.  He was formerly a longtime Peorian.

Born June 10, 1914 in Loraine, Illinois to John Wesley and Hazel Evelyn (Logan) Walker, he married Patricia Ann Meskimen on November 23, 1974 in Peoria.  She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Jeffrey W. Cockrell of Green Valley and Michael J. Doolen of Oakridge, Tennessee and three grandsons, Justin Forrest Cockrell, Wesley Dean Cockrell and Dillon Jacob Cockrell, all of Pekin.

He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Leo, Robert, Loren, Carl, James and Lyle Walker and one sister, Freda Kincaid.

Harold served in the Civilian Conservation Corps.  He was a World War II veteran and was proud to have served two enlistments in the United States Army and was honorably discharged.

With only a 6th grade education, Harold went on to become self-educated and attended Illinois Central College.  He worked for Caterpillar, Inc. as a parts department manager prior to entering the service.  He became a successful businessman as owner and operator of Walker's Used Cars, the largest used Cadillac dealer in Central Illinois, for 47 years.  His dealership was located at 2127 Southwest Jefferson Street in Peoria.  He also owned the Phillips 66 Service Station and car wash adjacent to the car lot.  He also operated Southwest Motors at the corner of Jefferson and Persimmon in Peoria, before retiring to Clearwater, Florida in September of 1989.  He then worked part time for the Clearwater Police Department until his return to Illinois in 1996.  He was a member of the South Side Businessman’s Association, Dunn and Bradstreet and the Tazewell County Farm Bureau. 

He enjoyed spending time with his nieces and nephews.  He loved working in his yard, feeding and watching the birds.  He never stopped buying and selling in his retirement years.  He could never pass up a good purchase.  He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.  Harold had an optimistic outlook on life.  His sense of humor and quick wit was infectious.  He never met a stranger.  He loved to mingle with people.  He lived an interesting and full life.  He always encouraged people to better themselves.  He was a strong and gentle soul and a first class gentleman who was a role model to all of us of what it means to be a husband, father, grandfather and friend.  He will be dearly missed by all including his devoted Yorkies, Zoe and Bridgett. 

A visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, March 19, 2009 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel, with his funeral service following at 2 p.m. Ms. Debbie Jost, a family friend will conduct the service.  Entombment will be at Parkview Mausoleum in Peoria immediately following the funeral service with a prayer by Ms. Jost.

His family would like to extend a special acknowledgement of thanks to Beverly Carrington, Caregiver and Harbor Light Hospice for their tender care and concern and to Ms. Debbie Jost for her genuine Christian love and care for the family during Harold's final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Victory Baptist Church, P.O. Box 4351, Bartonville, IL 61607; Alzheimer's Association, Central Illinois Chapter, 606 West Glen Avenue, Peoria, IL 61614; Harbor Light Hospice, 2000 West Pioneer Parkway, Suite 18B, Peoria, IL 61615 or to Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 Taps Lane, Pekin, IL 61554.