Harry P. Walker

Harry P. Walker, son of Charles H. and Erma Ann (Price) Walker, was born Aug. 9, 1933, near Rockville, Mo. He passed away quietly at his home in Appleton City, Dec. 26, 2012, at 79 years of age.

Harry grew up in the Rockville and Appleton City, Mo., area. In 1951, he graduated from Appleton City High School. He was united in marriage to Naomi Jean Huey Feb. 18, 1952, and they were blessed with three children.

Harry spent 43 years in business in Appleton City, first as manager of Zink Lumber Company, then 18 years as owner of Western Auto. He, with wife, Jean, and friends Lloyd and Carol Kelly started Kelly-Walker Furniture which they ran for 20 years, selling out in 1996 and retiring.

Harry served four terms as mayor of Appleton City from 1966 through 1974 and was currently serving as south side alderman and mayor pro-tem. In his term as mayor, he organized a group of investors to build Appleton City Manor (1971) and served as president of the board for 19 years. He also was president of the Ellett Memorial Hospital board (1973) and oversaw its recent renovation. Harry was currently serving on the AC Rural Health Clinic board. He was instrumental in getting the AC pool built in 1974 and bringing natural gas to Appleton City in 1970.

Harry served as president of Senior Citizens Board for 12 years. He served as president of the Service Club (now the Community Club) for two years and spent more than 30 years organizing the bean supper. He was a charter member of the AC Optimist Club, recently receiving his 50-year pin. He also served on the St. Clair County R-2 school board.

Harry loved children, and showed it by coaching many Little League teams, being an umpire, football "chain gang" member and a referee. Harry was also well known as the score-keeper at basketball games, doing it for more than 50 years before retiring in 2007. Harry was an organizer, a volunteer, a community leader, an athlete and family man.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Charles Howard Walker; sister-in-law, Maxine Walker; and granddaughter, Kaci Boin.

Survivors include his wife, Jean, of the home; two sons, Charles E. Walker and wife, Linda, Dean Walker and wife, Debbie; daughter, Stephanie Boin and husband, Dennis; seven grandchildren, Lee Walker and wife, Betsy, Adam Walker and wife, Alisha, Emily Hayes and husband, Andy, Ben Walker, Whitney Gilmore and husband, Chase, Kurt Boin and wife, Ashley, and Drew Boin; 10 great-grandchildren, Sam, Maisy, Donnie and Henry Walker, Graham Walker, Walker and Morgan Hayes, Gage Boin, Stryker and Harper Gilmore; and a niece, Sandy Rotert.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 29, at Hill and Son Funeral Home, Appleton City, and will be officiated by the Rev. Tony Reynolds. Casketbearers are Adam Walker, Ben Walker, Kurt Boin, Larry Kelly, Sam Walker, Drew Boin and David Huey. Honorary casketbearers are Donald Yoss, Dr. Glen Reed, Darrell Pohlman, Jerry Wood and Lyle Hickman. Interment will be in the Appleton City Cemetery, Appleton City.

Memorials are suggested to the Ellett Memorial Hospital and Appleton City Cemetery Association.