Ray E. Walker

Ray E. Walker 85 of Evergreen Shores, St.Ignace passed away early Wednesday morning June 13 peacefully at Everrgreen Living Center following a lingering illness. He was born February 8,1927 in Strongs to Ray and Phoebe (Jones) Walker. He served in the U.S.Navy during WWll enlisting in 1945, and was a Seaman 1st class. He sailed the Great Lakes and held a Captains Lic. multiple tonnage. He also was a Captain on the Treasure Island Boats in St.Ignace. In 1949 he joined the Michigan Department of Transportation as a Surveyor, and surveyed much of the UP roads during the building boom of the 50s and 60s. He retired on August 25,1984 as Foreman of the Michigan Department of Transportation Garage in St.Ignace. He was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church in St.Ignace; Moose Lodge #999, St.Ignace; American Legion Post, St.Ignace; was a Pilot and owned an airplane several years; was a Scuba Diver; and a lifelong member of the Ponchatrain Deer camp in Marquette Township. Ray was a part of the 3 pm coffee clutch at McDonalds for many years after retirement.. He will be missed and never had a bad word to say for anyone. He was loved by his fellow workers and was greatly missed when he retired. On January 7,1950 he married Marvel Gamble in St.Ignace, and she survives. Also a son and daughter in law, Michael and Alice Walker, Newberry; a daughter and son in law, Kathy and Donald McLeod, St.Ignace one brother, Dell Walker, Evergreen Shores; 2 sisters, Marie Smith, Redford; and Esther DesJardins, Dearborn Hghts; 5 grandchildren, Brendon andDanielle Walker; Katie Walker, Erin Walker, Shelly and Lee Eifler; and Donald McLeod; and 2 great grandchldren, Leah Eifler and Easton Walker.Also brothers in law; Duane, Leonard and Doug Gamble. He was perceeded in death by a sister, Hazel Campbell Frazier and a sister in law Daisy Walker.and brothers in law, Carmen Smith and Ken DesJardins. Friends may call at Dodson Funeral Home in St.Ignace on Friday from 4 to 7 pm. Funeral services will be Saturday, June 16 at 1 pm at the St.Ignace United Methodist Church with Pastor Jeremy Winter officiating. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery with Military Rites by the American Legion.Pallbearers were Teeny and Doug Fraser; Jon Arnold; Ken Litzner; Butch Beauregard; and Donald McLeod Jr. Memorials may be directed to the Evergreen Living Center or Fred Stearns Community Foundation with envelopes available from Dodson Funeral Home who assisted with arrangements.

Tributes

Ray E. Walker

June 13, 2012