Obituary -- Willis Walker 1935-2017

E. Willis Walker, 82, of Maryville, MO, passed from this life on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, at Parkdale Manor in Maryville, with his family at his side.

Willis was born on October 7, 1935, near Sheridan, MO.  He grew up in the Parnell and Ravenwood, MO areas and moved to Maryville in 1955.

Willis graduated from Parnell High School in 1953, and had attended NWMSU in Maryville.
On November 20, 1955, Willis was united in marriage to Beverly Ann Wilkinson, she survives of the home. They were married for over 61 years.

Willis enjoyed farming on his own ground near Ravenwood, and tending his cattle and sheep.  He liked to fish, and had played softball for his church team.

He was a member and Deacon at the Laura Street Baptist Church, Maryville.  He became a Deacon in 1959.  He was the song leader at the church and had sang many solos during the years.  He was a volunteer fireman in Maryville, and was a 20 plus year member of the Gideon’s International.

Willis was preceded in death by his parents, L.B. and Nora (Chapman) Walker, and his twin sister, Wilma Smith.

54 years ago, he founded, owned and operated the Walker Body Shop in Maryville, he retired in 2004, then helped for several years part time at the shop.  He started in the body shop at the former Curnutt Motors. 

He is survived by his wife Beverly, of the home; 4 children, Bill, and wife Stephanie Walker, Maryville, Dr. Dan, and wife Susan Walker, Creston, IA, Peggy, and husband Jeff Ostrander, Waukee, IA, and Ben, and wife Brenda Walker, Creston; 10 granddaughters, Jodi Loucks, Terra, and husband Mark Snyder, Ann, and husband Daniel Barnett, Ellen Walker, Allison, and husband Kenny Froment, Kelsie, and husband Taylor Royster, Nicole, and husband Tony Henry, Hailey Walker, Abby Walker, Grace Ostrander; 8 great grandchildren, and one on the way; his siblings, Laymon Walker, Bellevue, NE, Evelyn (Vern) Summa, Maryville, Bill (Vicki) Walker, Parnell, Rolland (Donna) Walker, Maryville, Harley (Jerri) Walker, Parachute, CO, and brother in law, Ronald Gene Smith, Savannah, MO, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 AM, Friday, October 20, 2017, at the Laura Street Baptist Church, Maryville, MO.  The burial followed at the Nodaway Memorial Gardens, Maryville.

The family received friends from 5-7:00 PM, on Thursday, October 19, 2017, at the Bram-Danfelt Funeral Home, Maryville, MO.

Memorials are suggested to the Mayflower Christian School, 604 E. Townline, Creston, IA 50801, or the Laura Street Baptist Church, Maryville, MO