George Walker

George Walker, 84, of Savoy, IL, died on January 6, 2015. He was born in San Diego, CA on August 19, 1930, the son of Paul and Madeline (Johnson) Walker. He married Patricia Kelman in 1985 in Champaign, IL. He is survived by his wife, two children, Paul of Milwaukee, WI and Belle Wagenschutz (Dave) of Walloon Lake, MI; three step daughters, Hollie Yanaga (Russ) of Carol Stream, IL, Wendy Wall of Columbia, MO, and Cristi Brown (Charlie) of Tolono, IL; and 13 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Heather. George graduated from Newton Community high school in 1948. He was his class president for two years. During his high school years he worked for the Newton Press and was Sports Editor his senior year. Walker was an Eagle Scout. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1952 with a degree in journalism. George was a member of Pi Kappa Phi, social fraternity; President of Sigma Delta Chi, professional journalistic fraternity; Alpha Phi Omega and a member of the Interfraternity Council. He was selected by the Illinois Press Association as the “Outstanding Community Journalism Student” in his senior year. During the Korean War, Walker served in the US Navy aboard the heavy cruiser, USS Salem, CA-139. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, Walker was employed as General Manager of radio station WCRA in Effingham, IL. In 1961 he purchased radio station WKEI in Kewanee, IL, and later purchased interest in WBEV, Beaver Dam, WI. He was active in civic affairs in Kewanee, serving on the city council, past president of the Rotary club, Chamber of Commerce, YMCA board, The United Fund and Midland Country Club. He sold his broadcast interests and retired from broadcasting in 1984. Walker was a member of the Illini Quarterback Club, a life member of the UI Alumni Association and a member of the Grace United Methodist Church in Urbana, IL. In retirement, he and his wife traveled extensively in this country and abroad. He enjoyed camping, photography, gardening and “coffee with the guys.” His favorite time of day was early morning coffee with his wife, Patty, accompanied by their dog Annie Mae and 22 pound cat, Chief (named in memory of Chief Illiniwek). For more than 15 years during retirement he was employed part time as an interior landscape hydrologist for Plants, Etc. of Savoy. Funeral services will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2015 at Morgan Memorial Home, 1304 Regency Dr. West, Savoy, IL with a visitation from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. before the service. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 9, 2015 at the Oak Grove Cemetery, Palestine, IL, with Pastor Mike Smith to officiate the service. Burial arrangements will be handled by the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in George's memory to The Henry County Humane Society, 197 Fisher Ave, Kewanee, IL 61443 or any Veteran's beneficial fund.