Obituary of Earl Eugene Walker

Earl Eugene Walker, 93, of Hillsborough passed away Thursday, February 22^nd, 2018 at UNC Hospital, Hillsborough with family by his side. He was born March 3, 1924 to Luther and Birtie Walker in Orange County, NC. He is survived by his wife of 16 years Becky Walker, his children Philip (Debbie), David (Gina), of Chapel Hill, NC and Bryan (Nicole) of Haw River, NC, his two grandchildren, Rebecca (Julian) and David (Mary), Kathy Seggerman and several nieces and nephews.

Earl served his country in World War II in the US Army Air Corps, assigned as an aerial gunner aboard a B-24 Liberator bomber in the Philippines, serving in the 5^th Air Force, 380^th Bomb Group.  He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, among other decorations, during his time in service.

In 1956 he went to work for M.M. Fowler, Inc. and moved his family to Chapel Hill where he ran the first Gulf service station on West Franklin Street. Over the years he would start and operate each station in Chapel Hill for the company finally settling for 52 years at Walker’s BP at the corner of Franklin and Estes. Earl served the community not only as a full-service station but also wrecker service, the first coin operated car wash, parking lot snow removal service, weekend banker, and friend to all. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed sharing his crops with customers and friends. Mainly he was a loving husband and father who always spoke of how proud he was of his sons and how much his family meant to him. He was fond of saying “I have lived a wonderful life”

Earl was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Hilda Summey Walker, step mother, Mae Allison Walker and sisters Mildred Walker Kennedy and Bertie Jean Walker Lynch.

The family would like to express their deepest thanks and gratitude for the care, and support by the doctors, nurses and staff at the UNC Hospital.

The Walker family will receive family and friends for a visitation from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Walker’s Funeral Home in Chapel Hill on Monday, February 26^th.  Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM at Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery on Tuesday, February 27^th.  Flowers are welcomed and appreciated or donations can be made to the charity of your choice.  

Online condolences may be sent to the Walker family by visiting  www.walkersfuneralservice.com

Walker’s Funeral Home of Chapel Hill is honored to serve the Walker family.