Kenneth Ray Walker

Kenneth Ray Walker, age 88, passed away in Pinetop, Arizona on Friday June 25, 2021. Kenneth was born to Etta & Cove Walker January 19, 1933, in Cypress, Illinois.  Kenneth had six sisters Doris, Lucille, Betty, Marie & Frances, three brothers Willard (Bud), George & Norman, all are deceased.

Growing up as a young boy he helped the neighbors bring in their crops & bale hay and set pins at a Bowling Alley.  He attended Elementary School in Vienna, Illinois and Junior High & High School in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.  He also worked for Caterpillar. 

He joined the U.S. Army in 1952 and after Boot Camp was sent to Korea, where he made Sergeant.  After two years he & his Unit were sent to Ft. Huachuca, AZ.  He and his Unit were sent to Yucca Flats, Nevada to observe the Atomic Bomb drop, they were in trenches only 2,000 yards from ground zero.  They then returned to Ft. Huachuca. 

Ken met Maureen Corkish in Bisbee & they married August 4, 1955 & moved to Phoenix, Arizona.  Ken went to work for Mountain Bell and retired in 1983.  They raised three children Sheryl, Tina & Kenneth II.   He was very active in Masonry for over 50 years.  He & Maureen purchased property and built a home and retired in Pinetop, Arizona.  He spent his retirement doing odd jobs of electrical and plumbing.  One of his most rewarding contributions was serving on The Pinetop Fire Department Board.

He leaves behind his loving wife Maureen, daughters Sheryl Smith (Steve), Tina Kurtz (Jeff Thompson) & son Kenneth; granddaughters Nicole Osborne-Lyle, Laine Geistwalker (Taylor Goble), Noel Quinn; grandsons Keston Geistwalker & Steven Tanner Smith; great-grandchildren Savannah Osborne, Salem & Travin Quinn and his most recent great grandson Hayden Goble.  He also leaves behind many nieces & nephews.

Services will be held at White River Lodge #62, 741 E. Whipple, Show Low, AZ on Saturday July 3, 2021, at 1 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the White River Masonic Lodge (P. O. Box 336, Show Low, AZ 85902) who will divide the gifts between the Arizona Masonic Children’s Foundation and Masonic Scholastic Fund.

Cards can be sent to Maureen at P.O.Box 373, Pinetop, AZ 85935