William Walker

Jan. 17, 1917 – March 31, 2010

Uncle Val was a great guy. There’s no other way to put it. He was, perhaps, the funniest person his nieces and nephews ever met. Even when he was cranky about something, he was funny. He was sticking out his tongue and blowing raspberries at his nurse right up to the end.

Val was the second child of William Orson and Jessie Teakle Walker. Right after they moved into a new house with plenty of land in Holladay, his dad died. Val was only 12, and he learned some tough lessons about life during the Depression years.

One of the things he learned to do was hard work. His dad worked at the post office, and Val followed in his footsteps. When Val joined the Navy, he never sailed – but he did move the mail. When he got out of the Navy, he kept the mail moving. When he retired from the postal service, he decided he would go to some of the places he sent all those letters. He made it to 48 of the 50 states, and took cruises and tours around the globe.

He loved gardening, and took tremendous care to make sure the place in Holladay looked great. Family members still talk about the catch he made playing touch football, leaping into the air and over the flower beds without harming a single plant.

He was a faithful friend, and his great love was his family. He never married, but he was devoted to his mother, his sister Helen, brother Don and Don’s wife Jean, and all those nieces and nephews. Summer holidays were spent at Uncle Val’s. Picnics, Lagoon, trips to Disneyland, the national parks, or going to see the Utes – Uncle Val made sure you had a great time. And if someone in the family lost a job, or needed help paying a bill, or needed a laugh – Uncle Val was there.

Gary, Mark, Donna Jean and their families will get together to remember him at Evans & Early Mortuary, 574 East 100 South on Saturday, April 10th at 11 a.m., with a time of family greeting at 10 a.m. We’ll share some funny stories, because he would love that. We’re sure that the Walkers are having a family barbecue in heaven today.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to KUED, or the children’s program at the Utah Dream Center. Or do something special for the people in your life. That’s what Uncle Val would have done. Condolences may be offered at www.evans-earlymortuary.com.

ortuary, Salt Lake City, UT.