Willie Earl Walker passed away at home Oct. 15, 2008. He was 85.

Mr. Walker was born in Delhi, La., July 2, 1923, to Lessie Avarilla McCandlish Walker and William Calvin Walker.

He was raised at the Methodist Orphanage in Ruston, La., where he was a Golden Gloves champion. He attended St. Aloysius High School. During World War II, he served in the United States Navy and was attached to the Second Marine Division as a medical corpsman. After his initial enlistment, he served for four more years. He was a loyal patriot.

Mr. Walker worked for the Vicksburg newspaper in the 1950s, State-Times in Jackson until the big fire, the Hanover Times for eight years in Hanover, Pa., and Allied Steel about seven years in Vicksburg, Charleston, W.Va., and Twin Falls, Idaho, working on many famous roadway projects and bridges. He settled back in Vicksburg to work at Quaker State Oil, where he retired.

Willie was a Catholic and attended St. Paul Catholic Church. He and his wife, Helen Ann Hosemann Walker, were married for 62 years.

Mr. Walker coached Little League for several years during the 1970s with the Halls Ferry ball park. He was an avid sports fan.

Mr. Walker was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Audrey Mae Walker Hosemann and Ola Tennessee Walker Carraway.

He leaves behind his wife; four children, Virginia Ann Rebert of Vicksburg, Robert Earl Walker of Hattiesburg, Janice and Dave McKercher of Vicksburg and Anita and Ken Lyle of Abilene, Texas; grandchildren, Nick Rebert, Clay Rebert, Chance Rebert, Alicia Funkhouser, Haley Walker, Brett Walker, William McKercher, Andrew Mc-Kercher, Theodore McKercher, Walker Lyle, Emma Lyle and many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008, at St. Paul Catholic Church. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Grandsons will be pallbearers.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul Catholic Church.