OBITUARY
Silas Jones Walker Jr.
March 9, 1918 – March 21, 2013
Silas Jones Walker, Jr., age 95, “crossed over” to be with the Lord Jesus Christ Thursday evening. He was a well-respected retired contractor who oversaw the building of schools, hospitals, universities and corporations. Silas was born in Vandiver, Alabama, and helped raise peanuts on the family farm. When he was about 16, his father suffered a major heart attack, and Silas left high school to begin a career in construction. He completed his degree by studying at night. He successfully passed the bar to obtain his contractor’s license in several states: North and South Carolina and Florida. He also passed the real estate boards in North Carolina and in Florida, and built several rental homes in Greensboro and at Sunset Beach, S.C., for his family’s personal use and as an investment.
Silas was married for 64 years to Dorothy Howard Walker, who devoted herself to moving with him from job site to job site across the country. He worked many years as a Lead Superintendent for Algernon Blair Construction Company (based in Alabama) and rose quickly to be Executive Vice President there. His children fondly remember him studying countless hours every night to further his education. During that time, because his father was a cardiac invalid, he literally supported two families until his parents both died. This wonderful son to one family and father to another worked enormous hours to provide for all of them during the days of the Deep Depression and beyond. Silas was Executive Vice President of Coble Construction Company for many years and then became President of Romeo Guest Construction Company in Greensboro, where he remained until retirement at age 68. He became a partner in a venture to build an industrial park in Greensboro. He left a legacy of results-oriented work ethic and service to others to his family.
He always stayed in touch with extended family in Alabama, especially cousins. They visited often after he retired. He found ways to enrich his children’s lives everywhere they lived by making weekend trips with them to educate them on the local attractions and culture. Silas moved from Litchfield Beach, S.C., and built a home in the Masonic Assisted Living Community in Greensboro several years ago. After his wife Dorothy died, his friendship with Barbara McKinney (widow to Doyle McKinney,) grew into love and they were married almost six years ago. Silas was a 32nd degree Mason and Shriner. He worked tirelessly in retirement for Hospice. He raised award-winning tomatoes and shared them with neighbors. He fathered one son, Silas Jones Walker, III (wife, Joyce) of Loris, S.C.; and two daughters, Jacqueline Walker Ross (husband, Stephen) of Florida and Diann Walker Sellers (husband, Tom) of Charlotte. His surviving grandchildren are: Jeff & Amy Pritchett of Oak Ridge, N.C.; Alan & Bethany Pritchett of Winston-Salem; Justin & Dr. Kimberly Dial Sellers of Apex; Brian Sellers of Tampa, FL; Silas J & Stephanie Walker of Las Vegas; and Shannon Walker Brasher of Alabama, Joy & Dean Bocks of Florence, SC, Jody and Erica Muldrow of Effingham, SC. Great-grandchildren are Jacob and Caitlin Pritchett of Oak Ridge; Rand Brasher of Alabama, Tiffany, Brian and Tyler Bocks of Florence, SC, Anna and Emma Muldrow of Effingham, SC and numerous others. Silas felt very close to his children and grandchildren by marriage: Gloria M. Campbell and Ronald B. & Carolyn McKinney. Surviving grandchildren from the McKinney lineage are: Regina Reynolds, Michelle & Jarret Jones, Brooks Ann McKinney, Edward & Sarah McKinney. There are eight surviving great-grandchildren in the Barbara McKinney Walker family.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday the 26th at 1:00 p.m. at Pisgah United Methodist Church, 2600 Pisgah Church Rd., Greensboro, NC 27455 conducted by the Reverend Greg Light. Interment will follow at Guilford Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Tuesday at the church from 12:00 p.m. until service time. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations be made to either: ELP Scholarship Foundation, Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405
Services
PREVIOUS SERVICES:
- Funeral Service Tuesday, March 26, 2013
- Visitation Tuesday, March 26, 2013
PREVIOUS SERVICES:
- Interment
REMEMBERING
Silas Jones Walker Jr.
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RECEIVE UPDATESSilas Walker
March 28, 2013
This was a man that helped everyone learn morals and integrity as we all grew up as children so we all could become better people as we grew .May god bless my poppa and his soul to be in heaven for eternity.I thank The Lord for all the memories grangy and poppa gave us all.
Silas Walker
March 28, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
March 26, 2013
It was our honor to meet and visit with Mr.and Mrs. Walker in their home in July of 2010. I shall forever be indebted to him for the kindness he showed to our family. He will be sorely missed. Dwight and Gloria Jeffers Columbia SC
Brian Sellers
March 26, 2013
In loving memory of my grandfather, whose life influenced so many for the better. I am truly grateful for all the love, support, inspiration, and guidance he gave me throughout my life, because I am a stronger and more dedicated person for it. The happiness he brought to the lives of others is beyond measure. Indeed, the story of his life, both hardships and triumphs, is remarkable and one to be admired. A man who achieved such great goals without the aid of wealth inherited or friendly surroundings, which others may benefit from, but rather through strength of character, honor, integrity, and affection. We celebrate your life!
Justin Sellers
March 25, 2013
Dear Boppa,
I already miss talking with you and your insight and encouragement! There are not enough words to put in here to let everyone know how great a man you were and how much influence you had on my life and the lives of your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc. You were a true beacon of strength and a wonderful Godly man! I know that you are watching over us from Heaven and feel strong knowing your blood runs through my veins. Thanks for all you did for me and my family over the years and all of your advice! I love you and will always remember you!
Carolyn Ford
March 25, 2013
Dear Barbara, I am sad to learn of Mr. Walker's passing. You two were such a beautiful couple. I miss seeing you, since I moved to Summerfield and am attending Summerfield UMC.
March 25, 2013
My prayers and thoughts go out to all of you as you adjust your loss of such a wonderful person. Sincerely Margaret Lewis
Jean Williams
March 25, 2013
Ron and Carolyn,
I'm so sorry to learn of your loss. This is surely a difficult time for you. Please know that you have friends who care deeply for you and will help you through this in any way they can.
Jean
Ronald McKinney
March 25, 2013
Thank you Silas for the love and happiness you gave my mom. You were a great step dad and grandad and we will always remember you.
Ron McKinney
March 25, 2013
Thank you Silas for the love you gave my mom. You accepted and loved me and my family and I will always remember you.
Stephen Ross
March 25, 2013
Dear Boppa, thank you for so lovingly accepting me into your family when Jackie and I married. I will always remember the times we had playing golf and sneaking a little libation when Dorothy wasn't looking. I hope my remaining years are as filled with as much love of life as your's. "May your drives all be long and straight and all your putts be gimmies".
Until we meet again, may God hold you in his loving hand. I love you and already miss you.
Steve
BIG COUNTRY CHEVY
March 25, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Jackie Ross
March 24, 2013
Dad, I have so enjoyed every minute of our close time together over the last few years, especially since Stephen and I started traveling in the coach and had more time to spend with you and Barbara. I continued to see sides of you that I had not seen before, and your strength and determination to get better each time something happened to your health was amazing. We will miss you terribly.
As we talked about recently, you fought the good fight. God Speed.
C. Stewart Stafford
March 24, 2013
My deepest Sympathy.
William Taylor
March 23, 2013
We are so very sorry to see this sad news today. Please know your entire family has the deepest love and sympathy from us for the loss of your beloved Grandfather. From William & Vicky, the Taylor Family. God bless you.
Tom Sellers
March 23, 2013
My name is Tom Sellers and I'm one of Sy's son-in-laws! I've known "Dad" or "Boppa" as the grandchildren named him for over 52 years at least. I first met him when he and his family first moved to Charlotte back in the '60's and started attending the Church I went to, Midwood Baptist Church. It was there I met his two lovely daughters, Diann and Jackie! Diann caught my eye and later, we became boyfriend and girlfriend and fiances after that. I told Dad that I loved her and asked him for her hand in marriage. He said "Yes"! After that
I presented Diann with a ring I had started paying on while in the Navy. She
said "Yes" too! I thought, smart girl, just like her Father! We were married on May 19th, 1967 and in a couple months we will celebrate our 46th wedding anniversary! My how time flies. She says she's been married all her life! We have two grown sons, Justin whom is married to his wife "Kim" and live in Apex. Brian is in Florida finishing his doctorate degree and will be moving to his new job in Michigan this coming August. I guess what I remember the most about Dad is what "I" brought to the family when I married into it! You see, I was a young 'salesman' and I played that dreaded
four letter word: "G-O-L-F"! Both Dad and my brother-in-law, Carl were in the
construction business and they were "HUNTERS"! Yep, "DAWGS" and all the garb, guns and ammo that goes with it! They were "BIRD" hunters--Quail! "I" had a brilliant idea and suggested that I would teach and get them into golfing if they taught me to hunt and shoot birds! They agreed, so I got Diann's permission and I marched down a brought me a Remington 1100
shotgun; the one they suggested I get! They brought their golf clubs, bag, shoes, balls, tees, etc. We decided to alternate between hunting and golfing. Long story, short, they caught the "GOLFING BUG", big time and lost all interest in "HUNTING BIRDS" after my third hunting trip with them! Yes, I still have that Remington 1100 Shotgun! It's "like new, from back in the '60's......!??! An "OLDIE", but "GOLDIE"! They abandoned me for that four letter word. Ha! Ha! I like to think about it positively though. I got to 'introduce' Dad to something new to him that he got to enjoy for as long as his health allowed him to play the game! Anyone want to buy a shotgun? It's a vintage classic! 10:30 PM 03/22/2013
Diann Sellers
March 23, 2013
Daddy, you were the first love of my life. You always supported me, taught me I could be whatever I desired, and loved me unconditionally. You set the right example for me of results-oriented hard work and service to others. You were a terrific grandfather to my boys. May God give you the rewards you so richly deserve.
FROM THE FAMILY
IN THE CARE OF