Wayne Everett Walker, 97, a former longtime resident of Sulphur, LA, passed away on August 25, 2020 at his daughter’s home in Spring, TX. He was the youngest boy of four children born to Edna and Glen H. Walker. Wayne entered the world in Alliance, Nebraska on January 30, 1923. He graduated in 1940 from Chadron College Prep in Chadron, Nebraska. Following graduation he went to California and joined Lockheed Aircraft. He remained with the company until the bombing of Pearl Harbor. With a call to his patriotic duty, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. He was sent to Port Arthur, Texas where he met his partner for life, Frances Palermo, at an American Legion gathering during World War II.
On August 24, 1945, Wayne and Frances were married in San Diego, California just after the war had ended. He put his new wife on a train back to Port Arthur, TX and went back to the ship to gather his belongings. To his surprise, instead of getting to go home, he was told to get aboard because they needed a Water Tender and he was the only one trained for the job. The ship then deported for the Philippines and he was at sea for just under a year. He received an Honorable Discharge on June 24, 1946 and returned to Port Arthur, TX to his new bride. Together they decided to move to Sulphur, Louisiana where he began a career of 35 years at Cities Service Oil Company in Lake Charles until his retirement in 1982.
Upon retirement and seeking for a slower pace of life, Wayne and Frances moved to Toledo Bend Lake where he enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, making knives, collecting guns, music and football. He enjoyed life to the fullest, was a gentleman, kind, considerate and always willing to help others. He was a family man that loved God and his country. The idea of easy living was soon replaced by volunteerism and work toward making the Toledo Bend community a better place to live.
After the death of his wife, Wayne moved to The Conservatory at Champion Forest in Spring, TX. There he met many new friends and spent precious time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchild. Wayne said the past 7 years were some of the best years of his life.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Frances Palermo Walker, his parents and three siblings Glen, Hazel and Phyllis. He is survived by his three children, GayLynn Taylor, of Sulphur, LA; Theresa Talbot and husband Everette of Spring, TX and Chris Walker of Woodlands, TX. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Michael Taylor, Kristi Russell and husband Greg; Trisha Carroll and husband Shane; Chase Walker and Chance Walker and three great grandchildren, Chase Russell, Cade Russell and Talbot Carroll.
A celebration of Wayne’s life will be held at a later date, due to the devastation of Sulphur, La. by Hurricane Laura, when the family can all get together.
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