William Alexander Walker, Jr.

Holt, Michigan.

William “Bill” Walker Jr., 67, of Holt, Michigan passed away on October 12, 2015, at his home.  Bill was born October 17, 1947, to William and Dorothy Walker.  On June 28, 1980, he married Deborah (Blackford) Walker in Walker, MI.  Bill was a remarkable man who lived what he called a ‘hard life for a simple man’.  Wearing camo or team gear, wherever Bill went, his coffee cup, blue cooler, and beloved dog were always with him.  He was a decorated Army Ranger in the Vietnam War.  He was an avid deer hunter, hunting with a group known as the Bucksmuckers.  He loved to fish, bowl, garden, play cards and cribbage, watch sports, take road trips, and work on cars.  Bill spent hours in his garage tinkering with everything, sharing stories of his life and offering advice that always ended with “you know what I mean buddy”.  “Wishing I was fishing” and “I’d rather be in the woods” were not just sayings in Bill’s life, but commandments that he lived by.  Bill was only happy if he was doing something, he never sat still, and lived a full life enjoying each and every day.

Bill loved learning, teaching, history, his family and his ‘buckos’.  He loved sports and found extreme joy in coaching softball and working as an ASA certified Umpire.  Bill was an ASE certified Mechanic and Parts Specialist.  A special thanks goes to Sparrow Hospital and Heartland Hospice.  Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Debbie Walker; children, Staci (James) Hagan, Dan (Autum) Robinson, Chad (Sonya) Robinson, Elizabeth (Jesse) Collins, and Laura Walker; grandchildren, Ambree Maxey, Nevaeh and Noah Collins, Paige and Owen Robinson, and Tyler, Kaylee, Noah, Abbie and Eva Robinson; siblings (nieces and nephews), Jan McManamey (Steve, Traci, Dana, Amy, Holly, Lori), Carolyn (Dan) Helmic (Dean, Candy, Randy), Joyce Hoggard (Tim, Troy, Trisha), and Larry Walker; siblings-in-law, Steve (Diane) Blackford, Karen Blackford (son Jeff Hubbard), Al Blackford, and Jeff Blackford; friends of the heart, Shane Reitz, Justin Hofbauer, Jason Mann, Treg Garrow, Josh Coker, Ryan Dyer, Paul Sowards Jr., Charles Coscarelli, Lonnie Collins, Mike Jacobson, Robert LePlante, the Wood family, and the Smith family, and many more friends.  Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Patty Tipka (Laura, Gwen).  Bill wanted everyone to remember him with a smile, and yes, he took your lighter.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the South Lansing Christian Church located at: 6300 Aurelius Road, Lansing, MI 48911.  In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, Heartland Hospice, or Sparrow Hospital.

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21 Messages to “William Alexander Walker, Jr.

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Tammy Franks
October 16, 2015 at 3:11 pm

So sorry for your loss. Liz – your dad’s love and joy of life is evident in the woman you have become. He and your mom are reflected in all that you do. I’ll be keeping you and your whole family in my heart and prayers. If you need anything, you know where I am. <3 <3 <3

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Ginny Cole
October 16, 2015 at 4:34 pm

You will be missed by so many. Thank you for being such a wonderful man, not only to myself but to everybody. You will always have a special place in my heart and in the hearts of so many others. Much love to the Walker family and all the friends and family that had the honor of knowing this man. ?

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Nikki Rogers
October 16, 2015 at 5:04 pm

Prayers to you and your family

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Nissa Holliday
October 17, 2015 at 10:40 am

Today as we mourn your loss, we also celebrate your life! Happy Birthday Old Friend! As I read these kind words written for you, I was reminded of all the time I spent with you and I know you dont want people to be sad, I shed my tears just the same. You were like a second Father to me as a teen, and when I grew up it never changed. You always were around…running into you enlighted my soul. You always would say say “Well How ya doin’ Kid?” and of coarse I would have to hug you! You have helped me in so many ways I can’t count! Most recently, I stopped by and my brakes were terrible and I went and the parts and you talked me through it and I changed my own pads. I know you were tired but u did it anyway! You were the Best Mentor, Coach, and Friend anyone could ever have and I consider myself Lucky to have known you!! My heart is with your family and you! Love You Bill!

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Noah Collins
October 17, 2015 at 11:41 pm

You were one of the most important person in my life. And I will always remember and love you grandpa.

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Dana A. Hughes
October 19, 2015 at 11:09 am

To the Walker Family and Friends:

“May peace and comfort find you during this difficult time.”

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LeAnn Reyes
October 19, 2015 at 11:42 am

Though I was not fortunate enough to know Bill personally, knowing his daughter and the wonderful person that she is is a testimony of high praise for Bill and his life. May you all find peace in each other during this difficult time. My sincere condolences to all of you.

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Tom & Brenda Coscarelli
October 19, 2015 at 12:55 pm

May the Peace of the Lord be with you all at this time. Please know that we are thinking of you.

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Jim Whittaker
October 19, 2015 at 1:31 pm

You are in our thoughts and prayers. May peace be upon you.

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Shane and Casey Reitz
October 19, 2015 at 2:24 pm

There isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t think of you. We will always miss you and pray for you.

We hope that the Walker family is filled with peace and love:)

Hugs to all.

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Misty Hull
October 19, 2015 at 9:07 pm

My deepest condolences to you and your family. You all are in my prayers. May you find peace and comfort as you go through this difficult time.

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Dennis Goulding
October 20, 2015 at 12:29 am

Thoughts and prayers to Debbie and family for the loss of a great man! I owed Bill so much for taking me in many years ago when I had no place to live. He cooked for me ( wouldn’t let me help ) He would let me dro my snowmobile off at the house to ride in the Winter. He also Gave me lot and lots of advice, finished with ” you know what I mean? ” I never stopped thinking about him over all these years. Thank you Bill for all that you have done. Your words of wisdom taught me a lot! You will be missed by a lot of people! Including me! RIP Bill!!!

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Zena Lowe
October 20, 2015 at 10:05 am

Greetings to the Elizabeth Collins and the Walker Family..my prayers are with you during this difficult time. Elizabeth if there is anything that I can do, please do not hesitate to call upon me.

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Valerie Felder
October 20, 2015 at 11:00 am

Elizabeth and Family:
You are in my thoughts and prayers.

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Michael lonsway
October 21, 2015 at 7:47 pm

H hunts with bill for many. Years until I was having back surgery and I have not seen him in 8 years or been in the woods I know if I ever back into the woods I will be thinking about bill I will always think and pray for him I loved a lot and we’ll think of you allways Michel……

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Carolyn Helmic
October 23, 2015 at 12:04 pm

My brother accepted Jesus as his Saviour on May 18, 2015. Bill asked Jesus to forgive his sins and come into his heart and save him. I know without a doubt that I will someday see him again in Heaven. I just wanted his family and friends to know that Bill did the most important thing in his life before he died. Love you brother.

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Ganesh Reddy
November 8, 2015 at 2:42 pm

Laura, you are such a wonderful daughter to your Dad and I can see that in your heart felt postings. He raised you to become a great human being and mom to your beautiful daughter. You and Walker family are in my prayers during this difficult time. God bless his soul and for his great service to our country!

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Joyce (Doug) Hoggard
November 13, 2015 at 10:40 pm

As your big sister, I remember carrying you around at Life O’ Riley Trailer Park, on my hip. I was 5 and you only 1 yrs old. As the years went by, we neglected our relationship, brother. Then our diseases, and wisdom of age brought us together, for brief meeting. Your leaving here, left a hole in many hearts, Bill. Tears for now, but happy reunion, later. Sis & Bro-in-law

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Elizabeth Collins
December 25, 2015 at 8:55 pm

I miss you everyday, but today on Christmas and my birthday I miss you more than ever. It just was not the same without you. Your joy would light up the whole room and everyone would get a stocking jammed full. I love you and hope you are here with us.

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debbie walker
January 5, 2016 at 1:28 am

I knew you would be my partner in life from the first time I saw you, April 1978, standing across the workroom floor. My love for you, my respect and admiration increased over the next 37 years as we raised our two girls and three grandchildren. Yes, there was occasional conflict, dreams and plans that never came to be, extended family and places we will never visit together. I hope that you are with us in spirit as we continue on without your physical presence. Every day I see your hand in all that surrounds me. I look at your pictures and remember your joy in life and pleasure in the things you chose to do. The blind you built in the last few weeks of your life was a testament to your perseverance and determination. I wish we could have stayed in it and gone hunting this last time like you wanted, but your ashes were there at the hole in the ground for opening morning, spread by many of your friends. We are burning the blind in remembrance of you also, so it will too become a part of the earth. You fought so hard to stay, but in the end accepted Jesus with grace and went on ahead to the next life with dignity. All of your nurses (and us) remember your wonderful happy smile. As sad as I am today, it is one day closer to that day I will see that smile again for all eternity. I will love you forever my beloved.

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Staci Hagan
April 6, 2016 at 8:01 pm

Before my father passed away he said to me “Hunny, if anyone can beat this cancer stuff you can”. Well Dad I am still fighting the good fight just like you did. But there is NOT a day that goes by I dont think about how you held your head HIGH. Still living life to the fullest. You sure were one of a kind and can never be replaced. I Love you Dad !

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