Merrill Walker

MERRILL WALKER Click here to view Merrill's Video Tribute AMMON, ID -- Merrill Edwin Walker, 77, of Ammon, died May 20, 2009, at his home of heart failure, surrounded by his loved ones. Merrill was born July 22, 1931, in Grant, Idaho, to Edwin Roland Walker and Ethel June Webster Walker. He grew up on the family farm in Lewisville and graduated from Midway High School. He also attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. He served his country in the U. S. Army during the Korean War. He married Arlene Horton May 22, 1953, in Lewisville, Idaho. Their marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple December 16, 1953. They lived in Idaho Falls and moved to Ammon 35 years ago. He worked as a Superintendent for the U. S. Postal Service until his retirement in 1986. An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served a full-time mission to the Northern States in his youth. He also served as Bishop, Patriarch, Temple Sealer, High Councilman, and in various other positions over the years. He loved children and actively supported several children in third world countries through the Christian Children’s Association. His generosity was unwavering. Merrill enjoyed coin collecting, gardening, fishing, family history, stamps, camping, and his grandkids and great grandkids. His top priority was his family. Merrill inspired all he touched through his example. Survivors include: Wife: Arlene Walker, Idaho Falls, ID Daughter: Julie (Steve) Adams, Idaho Falls, ID Son: Alan (Gail) Walker, Valencia, CA Daughter: Amy (Jon) Walker, Ammon, ID Son: Mark (Laura) Walker, Idaho Falls, ID Brother: Owen (Venice) Walker, Idaho Falls, ID Brother: Von (Dorothy) Walker, Lewisville, ID Brother: Otis (Jerry) Walker, Idaho Falls, ID Sister: Lois (Jack) Hilterbrand, Rupert, ID Sister: Lorna (Sherrill) Vance, St. Anthony, ID Sister: Carolyn (Norman) Clark, Olathe, KS 16 Grandchildren & 7 Great Grandchildren He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Phyllis (Elmer) Summers. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 26, 2009, at the Ammon LDS Stake Center, 2055 South Ammon Road, with Bishop Randy Hoffman of the Ammon 14th Ward officiating. The family will visit with friends Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road, and Tuesday from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park under the direction of Wood Funeral Home, P. O. Box 51434, Idaho Falls, ID 83405-1434. Phone (208) 522-2751. Fax (208) 522-5413. Military Rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and Idaho Honor Guard. -------------------------------------------- Condolences Received Online: Nancy Pardonnet Orme vnorme@usfamily.net Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Becky Haggard Blair Alan and family, I'm so very sorry to hear about your loss. You have my thoughts and prayers. Rod and Cindy Walker Rod_cindy_walker@hotmail.com We send our condolences to you all. Uncle Merrill is the true reason we moved back to Idaho Falls. He heard we were in town and ran over to meet us before we left. He said "Rod, it's time to move back home." Thank you, Uncle Merrill. We couldn't be happier. We will miss you. Greg Bean gregorybean@live.com Our prayers are with you. We love you. Jane and Ron Reynolds Our sincere sympathies to your family. Our daughter received her patriarchal blessing from Patriarch Walker shortly after we moved to Idaho Falls and she had moved home after attending her first year of college. It was a true testament that our Heavenly Father truly knows us even though the individual patriarch may not. Our sincere condolences and may the Lord comfort you at this time and always. Wynette Wolfley Butikofer winnie@ida.net I was sorry to hear of the passing of your husband and father. My love and prayers are with you. He was a wonderful man. I still remember the good old "Aunt Fanny" days when we used to joke around. He was a lot of fun. I always thought a lot of him and your family. Hope all goes well at the funeral and in the days ahead. May God bless you all. Wynette Erven & Linda Thurman e65cuda@comcast.net We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Merrill. Merrill and Arlene were such good neighbors and friends. Merrill will surely be missed.