Rev. W. L. Walker

Rev. W. L. Walker, 80, of Caldwell died Tuesday, December 29, in Caldwell. His body will lie in state beginning Thursday afternoon at the funeral home. W. L. was born August 29, 1929 in Birome the son of Tommy and Cora Bell Christian Walker. When he was four years old, his daddy died while they lived in Cleburne. His mother later married Joe Bardin, who had six children, giving them eight total. Growing up, his family lived in Odell where he graduated high school. In 1951, he entered the Army and served in Korea, where he was wounded and received a Purple Heart. On July 24, 1953 he married Glenda Ruth Hammonds and they moved to Fort Worth. At that time he completed Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. While in the seminary, he pastored at Thorpe Springs Baptist Church near Granbury. He then preached in Jewett for seven years before going to First Baptist Church in Whitney for 10 years. For 15 years, he owned and operated Walker Nursery near Whitney. He later returned to the ministry at Cedar Creek Baptist Church as the 14 year interim pastor. In August 2008, he and his wife moved to Caldwell. He enjoyed working with the Texas Baptist Men building churches and he loved working with children and preaching at Latham Springs Camp. He also enjoyed woodworking and building furniture for his family. In 56 years of marriage, he and his wife never had an argument. He always had a smile for everyone. Also preceding him in death were his mother; a daughter, Fonda Ruth Walker; and five siblings. Survivors include his wife, Glenda Walker of Caldwell; children, Rhonda Walker Hadley and husband, James, of Caldwell, Warren Walker and wife, Kelley, of Fort Worth, and Kevin Walker and wife, Julie, of Monument, CO; step-brother, David Barton of CA; step-sister, Betty Jobe of Marlin; two sisters-in-law, Carolyn Walker of Odell and Helen Bardin of Houston; six grandchildren, Brandon Hadley and wife, Valerie, Breana Hardy and husband, Ken, Adrienne Walker, Jared Walker, Wyatt Walker, and Grace Walker; and three great-grandchildren, Brayden Hadley, Keavy Hardy, and Keagan Hardy. Memorials may be made to Cedar Creek Baptist Church, P. O. Box 2168, Whitney, TX 76692 or First Baptist School, P. O. Box 687, Caldwell, TX 77836.