Roger M. Walker Sr. Obituary
Roger M Walker, Sr. was born in 1927 to William Cullen Walker and Sadie Pauline Cargill, in his paternal family home in Ozark Alabama. He later moved to his maternal family home in Eufaula Alabama. A few years after his mother died, when he was approximately 15, he and his father returned to Ozark to be taken care of by his granny and loving Aunt Kate. From Ozark he enlisted in the Navy in 1944, under a special waiver for 17-year-olds. He joined his ship in Chicago, built by the Pullman Railcar Company and the shakedown cruise went so well that they were dispatched directly to the Pacific Theatre for assignment. He served under Admiral Bull Halsey in the 3rd Fleet, performing rescue services, anti-sub picket duty and general fleet duties. After the war, at age 19, he moved to Evergreen Alabama and graduated from high school. While in Evergreen he met and married (Bonnie) Lanelle Gilmore and they headed off to Troy State. Several years later his daughter, Bonnie Helen was born. He then moved to Pensacola Florida, to work for The Quaker Oats Company, where both his sons, Roger Jr. (Bud) and William David (Bill) were born. He later worked in Mobile Alabama and then Tallahassee Florida, where after over thirty years he retired at Sales Account Manager. He loved boating and owned several over the years. He was a life time member of the St. Marks Yacht Club, where he served several terms as Commodore. He was a big University of Alabama football fan, until moving to Tallahassee and began rooting for Florida State University, where he was a member of the alumni association, Booster club and a season ticket holder for nearly 50 years. His wife of 53 years died in 2001. In 2008 he met Murlene Ward of Port St Joe and they married shortly thereafter. They lived in Tallahassee for a few years, but eventually moved back to her home in Port St. Joe where he lived out his remaining years in comfort and happiness.
He was proceeded in death by his wife, Lanelle G. Walker and grandson, Leon Edward (Chip) Singletary, III.
Survived by his wife, Murlene Ward Walker and step-daughter, Sandy Osborne, children, Bonnie (Leon) Singletary, Jr, Roger (Lisa) Walker, Jr and William D. Walker, 5 grandchildren- Noel, Kristy, William Jr, Elisabeth and Melissa, 7 great grandchildren and 2 great-great children.
