G.W. Walker, Jr. | Eastern North Carolina Now

   G.W. Walker, Jr., co-founder of G.W. Walker & Sons in Downtown Washington, died Thursday, July 12, 2012, at his home. He was 85.

    The family will receive friends at a visitation scheduled for Saturday, July 21, at G.W. Walker & Sons, located at 203 West Main Street in Washington, from 7 until 9 p.m.

    A funeral service is scheduled for Sunday, July 22, at First United Methodist Church in Washington, located at 304 West Second Street, at 2:30 in the afternoon. Friends and family will be received immediately following the service at First United Methodist Church's Wesley Hall.

    Mr. Walker was born in Beaufort County on September 16, 1926, to the late G.W. Walker, Sr. and Minnie Lamm Walker. His brothers, Hilton Walker and Edward Walker, and his sister, Bernice Walker Williams, preceded him in death.

    Mr. Walker joined the United States Navy in 1944 and served aboard the USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., before returning to Washington to graduate from Washington High School in 1946. He founded G.W. Walker & Sons, a flooring and home improvement business, in Washington 65 years ago with his father and brothers. Mr. Walker retired from the business in 1994.

    In addition to his business, Mr. Walker served as a volunteer fireman with the Washington Fire Department for more than 20 years and was a lifetime member of the North Carolina Fireman's Association.

    He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Washington, a member of the Washington Jaycees, and a 50-year member of the Red Men Tau Tribe. He served as a charter member of the Washington Yacht & Country Club.

    Mr. Walker loved the Pamlico River and the outdoors and enjoyed boating and sailing. He spent many years woodworking in his Wood Duck Shop and had a passion for building furniture and carving ducks and other birds.

    Mr. Walker is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Audrey Walker, son Randy Walker and his wife, Carolyn, of Washington, in addition to his grandchildren Christopher Walker and his wife Sarah, of Chapel Hill, and Jennifer Walker, of Washington.

    He is also survived by nephews Larry Walker and wife Lucy, Steve Walker and wife Terry, and Rusty Walker and wife Mindy, and nieces Kay Moore and husband Phil Moore and Pat Talley and husband Bill Talley.

    Memorial may be made to the First United Methodist Church's Horizon Fund, 304 West Second Street, Washington, NC 27889.

    You may share a memory with the family by visiting www.hillsidefuneralservice.com

    Hillside Funeral Service & Cremations, 4500 Hwy 264 E, Washington, NC has been given the honor of being entrusted with serving the Walker family.