William D. Walker Sr

William Donald Walker Sr., lovingly known as "Pop- Pop" or "Big Bill", was born May 5, 1934 in Baltimore, Maryland. He was raised by the mid-wife who assisted with his birth, whom he affectionately called "Mama Cooke."

Bill received his formal education in Baltimore, Maryland at Carver Vocational High School. During his time at Carver, he immersed himself in extracurricular activities and took up singing and acting for the "Arena Players". Later, in 1951, Bill joined the United States Navy and served heroically in the Korean War and received an honorable discharge in 1959. At the onset of his career, he held multiple jobs until settling his employment at the United States Postal Service (USPS) in 1967. Bill had a celebrated career at USPS, and after 22 years of faithful service, he retired in 1989. Given Bill's undeniable work ethic, his love of people, and his all-inspiring desire to aid his family, Bill continued to work. Indeed, he worked at Martin's Crosswinds for roughly ten years then worked on both the "Bay Lady" and "Lady Baltimore" ships at the Baltimore Inner Harbor for another 15 years.

More importantly, Bill was blessed to find the love of his life. On March 23, 1956, he married his beautiful wife of nearly 60 years, Josephine Cunningham. They began their happy family in 1958 and produced a son (William Walker, Jr.) and two daughters (Vickie Walker and Karen Walker) and raised their family in Baltimore City on Hillenwood Road.

Bill had a heart of gold and was loved by everyone and befriended everyone. He loved to tell jokes, make people laugh, and had genuine love for people. He found great joy in carrying on a family tradition hosting Christmas breakfast yearly for family and friends and loved his family beyond measure and words.

Bill was a pillar of his community and believed in the importance of giving back. As such, he volunteered for countless years and served as the first black President of the Northwood Baseball League. Additionally, for 30 years, he volunteered at Morgan State University assisting with the planning of the parade on the Homecoming Committee. His altruistic, giving spirit did not end there, for over 30 years, he also helped with the coordination of "Bea Gaddy", where meals are given to hundreds of people in need during the holidays.

On Sunday, January 31, 2016, Bill departed this life after years of battling illness and infections. He lived a full life. He was a man of standards, fathering those who needed fathers, befriending those who needed friends, and loving those who needed love.

Bill leaves behind to celebrate his life, his wife Josephine Cunningham Walker; three children, William Jr. (Sheryl), Vickie, and Karen Edmunds (William Charles); a sister, Patricia Taylor; nine grandchildren, Rhonda, William III, Robert, Tara, Danielle, Jazzman, Charles, Kelsey, and Kaitlyn; two great-grandchildren, Maliyah and Ricky; two sisters-in-law, Verona Carrington and Ann Cousin (David, Sr.); one brother-in-law, Richard Cunningham; a special friend who tirelessly helped the family through the years, Roland Murry; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

His mother, Grace Walker Cooke "Mama Cooke," a special Uncle Edward Towson, his mother and father-in-law, Oliver and Ollie Cunningham, a sister-in-law, Lou Ray Tabb, and his son, Adonis William Brown, preceded him in death.

--William Donald Walker, Sr., a loved man.