Bill Text: VA SR137 | 2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Willie Otis Walker, Sr.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-02-21 - Bill text as passed Senate (SR137ER) [SR137 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2023-SR137-Introduced.html
WHEREAS, Willie Otis Walker, Sr., an honorable veteran, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather, and cherished member of the Portsmouth community, died on November 29, 2022; and
WHEREAS, raised in Georgia, Willie Walker joined the United States Navy in 1945, proudly serving the country during World War II and the Korean War and earning several decorations and medals, including the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal; and
WHEREAS, Willie Walker's travels with the United States Navy brought him to Portsmouth, where he met his wife, Gloria Mae Benton, whom he married on July 8, 1946; and
WHEREAS, Willie Walker attended what is now Norfolk State University in the early 1960s, earning a certificate in brick masonry and carpentry; over the years he enjoyed painting houses, planting vegetable gardens, and doing landscaping and other lawn services for a living; and
WHEREAS, in addition to spending time with family, Willie Walker liked to craft leather purses, play guitar and harmonica, read the local newspapers cover to cover, and catch the breeze on his front porch; and
WHEREAS, though quiet and soft-spoken, Willie Walker was known by friends and family to regularly offer sage and enlightening wisdom on a wide variety of topics; and
WHEREAS, Willie Walker was a man of deep abiding faith who had been a member of Third Baptist Church in Portsmouth since 1957, where he attended Sunday school and served as an usher; and
WHEREAS, preceded in death by his loving wife of nearly 75 years, Gloria, and his children Elton Leo, Kennith, and Raymond, Willie Walker will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his children, Willie Jr., Evelyn, Ernest Morris, Yvette, and David, and their families and by numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Willie Otis Walker, Sr., a cherished member of the Portsmouth community whose dedication to the country as a veteran of World War II and the Korean War inspired many and whose kindness and generosity touched countless lives; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Willie Otis Walker, Sr., as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory.
