Wilbur L. Walker

Wilbur L. Walker, 86, of Poplar Bluff died Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Walker was born Nov. 10, 1925 in East Prairie, Mo. He was a member of First Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher, and had retired as a homebuilder. Mr. Walker was a WWII veteran of the U.S. Army serving in the Rhineland Campaign. On March 5, 1945 while participating in the European Theater he was wounded in action. For his actions Mr. Walker was awarded an American Theater Medal; a European-African-Middle Eastern Medal with one bronze service star, Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal and Distinguished Unit Badge. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, woodworking and gardening.

On June 16, 1950, he married Verneal Samons in Pocahontas, Ark. She survives.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Brenda Harold and Dr. Richard Leveton of Charleston, SC; two grandchildren: Dr. Cynthia Mignano and husband Dr. Salvatore Mignano and Mark Harold and wife Amy; four great-grandchildren: MaryBrenna Harold, Maggie Elizabeth Harold, Frances Elizabeth Mignano and Olivia Grace Mignano all of Charleston, SC; two sisters: Judy Blaylock and Barbara Haubold both of Bertrand, Mo.; and a brother, Leroy Walker also of Bertrand, Mo.

His parents, William Eugene and Blanche (Oliphant) Walker, two brothers, Glen Walker and Kenneth Walker and two infant sisters preceded Mr. Walker in death.

Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at The First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff with Dr. William Vail officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in the Oak Ridge section of the Doniphan City Cemetery in Doniphan, Mo.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 551 North Westwood Blvd., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.