Walter Louis Walker was born Aug 19, 1932, in Alpena, to James and Dora (Thorne) Walker.
He was raised in Detroit along with his two brothers, Jim (Jeanette) and Tom (Linda); and sister, Rosemary (Dennis Hawhee) and remained close to his family throughout his life.
Walt made many lifelong friendships during his school years. He attended Guardian Angels Elementary School, De La Salle and Denby High School. He graduated from Wayne State University with a bachelor's degree in business and joined the TARA Fraternity. After graduating from Wayne State, he served two years as a navigator in the US Air Force in Texas, then four years as a captain in the Michigan Air National Guard flying in B-25 and F-89 Scorpion Fighters.
Walt worked for General Motors at the Technical Center in Warren for 38 years and became director of the Color Studio overseeing the design of interior fabrics and exterior paints for all GM vehicles.
He married Nancy Margaret Harrington on Dec 28, 1957 in Charlotte. Together they raised four children. Walt was a devoted dad, coach, fan, and a long standing member of the Shrine Dads Club.
Walt and Nancy were married 29 years when she passed away in 1986 from cancer. Several years later a reunion of an old neighborhood bridge club brought Walter and Charlette Carlson, also recently widowed, together again. These two former Royal Oak neighbors fell in love and were married Dec 29, 1993. They enjoyed extensive travel together including European destinations, the United Kingdom and China. They enjoyed ski trips out west and up north. Walt and Charlette lived in Clarkston for many years before relocating to Traverse City in 2003, and the past four years in Elk Rapids.
Becoming "up north residents" they enjoyed all the area had to offer in the company of dear old friends and met new ones through the Newcomers, including a jazz appreciation group they became part of. Walter and Charlette were volunteers with the Father Fred Foundation and enjoyed time with their combined six children, twelve grandchildren, and extended family.
Walt's battle with cancer ended at home Dec 31, 2019 surrounded by love; he was 87. Much grace was brought to his end of life journey with the compassionate assistance of Hospice of Michigan.
Walt is survived by his wife, Charlette Walker; children, Tom (Mary Beth), Matt (Clare), Julie (Chris Cameron), Anne (Karl Pfendt), Carey Carlson Clauss (Bernard), Claudia (Jim Keglovitz); and grandchildren, Sarah, Kirsten, Justin, Jack, Andrew, James, Clare, Libby, Nancy, Katherine, Michael, and Clay. He was a loving, kind, and gentle man and will be greatly missed.
