 WALKER, WILLIAM LEE March 23, 1919- November 6, 201 affectionately known as "Lee" or "Bill," died on November 6, 2012, at the age of 93, while in the compassionate care of his family, friends, and Pikes Peak Hospice. For 67 years, Bill was the beloved husband of Virginia Colburn Walker and the loving father of Karen Sue Walker Riggle and her husband Don Riggle of Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was preceded in death by his father Arnie Walker, mother Violet Ferguson Walker and his brother Russell Walker. He is survived by brothers Paul Walker (Gloria) and Ray Braly (Marsha) and sisters Vinita Edmons and Gay Paterson. He has left cherished memories with many nieces and nephews. Bill grew up on a farm in Washington County, Arkansas, and graduated from Prairie Grove High School in Arkansas. He played both basketball and baseball. During World War II, he served from 1940-1945 as an airplane mechanic and crew chief, achieving the rank of Technical Sergeant. In 1945, he married Virginia and moved to Kansas City, Missouri, to complete training as a master watch and clock maker. He instructed watch making in Kansas City and later in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The ability to meticulously repair and maintain small working parts led him to the AFC Plant in Albuquerque, where he became the Standards Lab Supervisor. He maintained that position when GE purchased the plant and began to build jet engines. Bill always loved the outdoors, taking friends and family camping, fishing and hunting for rocks. He continued playing baseball and softball through his later years. He enjoyed many years of hiking and being in the New Mexico mountains and especially loved communing with nature while fishing. He was a long time member of Monte Vista Christian Church, The Masonic Lodge Hiram #13, and Shriners Ballut Abyad in Albuquerque and also the Scottish Rite in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A visitation will be held Tuesday, November 13, between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. at Swan Law Funeral Home, 501 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, November 14, at 2:30 p.m. at First Christian Church, 16 E. Platte Ave., Colorado Springs. Bill will be buried at Santa Fe National Cemetery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care, 2550 Tenderfoot Hill Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80906.
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