Willis Milton Walker

Willis Milton Walker was born August 7, 1866 in Wilkes County, North Carolina as the seventh of nine children of John Franklin, Sr. and Nancy Matilda Absher Walker. Willis Walker, was the father-in-law of Grover Shepherd.

The John Franklin Walker, Sr. family lived in the Hayes Community of Wilkes County. On November 24, 1889, Willis married Sallie Anna Colvard in Wilkes County. Sallie (b. Oct. 23, 1871) was the daughter of Charles Cicero and Laura Whittington Colvard of the Reddies River Community in Wilkes County, NC.

The couple moved to Grassy Creek, NC where they operated a general store. They later moved to Nathan's Creek, NC., and also operated a store there.

Willis and Sallie had ten children which are detailed below. Their first daughter, Ethel Isabelle Walker, married Grover Cleveland Shepherd on January 26, 1910.

Willis died July 31, 1929. Sallie died November 14, 1933. They are buried in the Senter Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Nathans Creek, North Carolina.

Willis Milton and Sallie Anna Colvard Walker

Ten Known Children of Willis and Sallie Anna Colvard Walker:

1. Roby Alexander Walker, born Oct. 20, 1890; died June 28, 1947; married Martha Lou Demi Hash (b. Mar. 29, 1899, d. May 3, 1981/84), July 14, 1917; Had four known children:
   • Stanley R. Walker, born Sept. 14, 1918 in Weaversford, Ashe Co., NC; died Sept. 26, 2005 in Columbia, SC; entombed in Greenlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum in Columbia, SC; married Rose Minnie Houston (b. Dec. 18, 1921), Dec. 19, 1945; Stanley received a Bachelor and Master of Arts Degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He served four years with the Air Force in World War II as a weather observer and weather forecaster in the United States, India, and China.

     Roby Alexander Walker World War I

     He began his half century life insurance career in Columbia with the Equitable Life Assurance Society as Assistant to the South Carolina state manager and later as a sales representative. In 1957 he joined the former Palmetto State Life Insurance Company as a manager of their Columbia agency. He was later promoted to Manager of Ordinary Sales for South Carolina followed by a later promotion to Vice President of Ordinary Life Sales of South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. He retired from Palmetto State Life in 1975. Since 1975 he has remained active, first as manager of the Columbia office of Liberty Life, as a sales representative for the New England Life Insurance Company, and as a broker of group and employee benefit plans for several national companies.

     He was a past Vice President of the South Carolina Association of Life Underwriters, and past President of the South Carolina Chapter of Chartered Life Underwriters. He served as a trustee of Richland County District Two School Board for six years, and was Chairman of the Board during the last year of his term. He also served on the District’s School Choice Committee, and the Superintendent’s Business Advisory Council. He has served as Vice President of the South Carolina School Board Association and as Chairman of the Education Committee of the South Carolina State Chamber of Commerce.

     Robie and Martha Walker on right with children (l-r): Albertine, Stanley, Darwin, and Bobby.

     He was Northeast Columbia’s “Citizen of the Year” in 1985, and was awarded the Columbia Life Underwriters Association “Outstanding Citizen” Award in 1984.

     He was a charter member and past President of the Spring Valley Rotary Club, where he was voted “Rotarian of the Year” in 1983 and 1997. He was a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow. He was a member of Shandon United Methodist Church and past chairman of the Administrative Board of the church. He coached Shandon’s Junior High Boys Basketball team for 20 years, and was the organizer of the South Carolina Methodist Conference Annual Basketball Tournament for Junior High age boys. He taught Sunday School for 30 years, first as a teacher in the youth department and later, as a teacher in an adult class. He was a former South Carolina Methodist Conference Associate Lay Leader, member of the Conference Pension Committee, and served as Conference director of Methodist Men. He was a former member of Columbia Mayor’s Youth Committee and a former member of the Board of the Columbia YMCA. Had six known children:

     • Jack O'Dell Walker, born Nov. 4, 1947, married Patricia N. Hanley (b. Aug. 29, 1946), June 11, 1977; currently live in Myrtle Beach, SC.

     • Robert Nolan Walker, born Jan. 8, 1949; married Ranotta Kay Walker (b. June 11, 1952), Mar. 24, 1979; currently live in Coeur d’Alene, ID.

     • Richard Robie Walker, born Jan. 26, 1957; died Sept. 20, 2009 by falling 700 feet from an overlook at Mount Jefferson State Park in Ashe Co., NC; married Lori Lynn Lawler (b. Jan. 12, 1964), April 29, 1985; lived in Charlotte, NC; Had two children: Bailey R., born Feb. 26, 1991 and Alex Dennon, born June 23, 1992.

     • James Dale Walker, born 1959; married Jannette Lynn Finch (b. 1962) in 1981; currently live in Columbia, SC; Had two children: Patrick Ryan, born 1981 and Lindsey Houston, born 1983.

       Darwin "Shorty" & Alta "Red" Dickson Walker

     • Laura Dawn Walker, born Aug. 5, 1962 (twin to Bonnie); married Scott Jeffery Groshans (b. Sept. 27, 1959), May 17, 1986; currently live in Rock Hill, SC; Had two children: Daniel Brian, born Sept. 25, 1990 and Aaron Wesley, born July 2, 1992.

     • Bonnie Rose Walker, born Aug. 5, 1962 (twin to Laura); married Thomas Adkins (b. Aug. 28, 1959), Sept. 22, 1985; currently live in Lawrenceville, GA; Had two children: Wesley Thomas, born Sept. 30, 1988 and Seth William, born Jan. 7, 1991.

   • Darwin "Shorty" Hugh Walker, born Jan. 19, 1921; died July 4, 1989; married Alta "Red" Marie Dickson (b. Feb. 2, 1920, d. Oct. 14, 1997); Had one known child: Donnie.

     Ethel Isabelle Walker

   • Albertine Hazel Walker, born April 30, 1922.

   • Bobby Odell Walker, born April 30, 1931; died April 6, 1979.

2. Ethel Isabelle Walker, born Oct. 15, 1892; died Nov. 1, 1952; married Grover Cleveland Shepherd, Jan. 26, 1910; Grover and Ethel are buried in the New River Baptist Church Cemetery; Had eight known children:

   • James Wilburn Shepherd, born July 10, 1911; died Sept.27, 1977; married Valma Hill Stonestreet of State Road in Wilkes County Jan. 22, 1941; Had four known children: Mary Lynn, Jane, James Wilburn Jr, and Martha.

   • Walter Leonard Shepherd, born Feb. 22, 1913; died Aug. 8, 1998; married Muriel Baldwin July 16, 1938; Had three known children: Remona McOlean, Willard Gwyn, and Sandra Ruth.

     Wedding photo of Ethel Walker & Grover Shepherd. (Top) Witnesses: Robie Walker & Mary Shepherd

   • Robert Blaine Shepherd, born Dec. 28, 1915; died May 29, 1929; Blaine died as the result of a hunting accident.

   • Sallie Edith Shepherd, born Aug. 16, 1918; died Mar. 24, 1984; married Guy Barkley Howard, of Forest City, NC, Dec. 26, 1940; Had one known child: Kay Barkley.

   • Ralph Franklin Shepherd, born July 8, 1920; married Joyce Banks of Burnsville, NC, July 12, 1943; Had two known children: John Franklin and Robert Banks.

   • Myrtle Luna Shepherd, born August 29, 1922; married Bryce Pugh of Ashe County, NC, Dec. 5, 1945; Had two known children: Linda Janice and Denny Glenn.

   • Mont Fred Shepherd, born Sept. 1, 1926; married Betty Arnold of Ashe County, May 29, 1957; Had two known children: Brodrick Dwayne and Ryland Boyd.

   • Betty Ruth Shepherd, born Feb. 28,1932; married Homer Williams of Iredell County, NC in 1950; Had four known children: Mark Felix, Janet Sue, Kay Francis, and Neal Avery.

   John Cicero & Winnie Marie Hash Walker

3. John Cicero Walker, Sr., born May 5, 1895; died July 17, 1981; married Winnie Marie Hash (b. May 11, 1902, d. Sept. 15, 1983), June 16, 1918; Had five known children:
   • Clifford Gale Walker, born April 28, 1920; died Oct. 3, 2003; married Kathleen Holloway (b. June 10, 1923), Oct. 24, 1944; Had two known children:
     • Larry Gale Walker, born April 18, 1947; died Oct. 11, 1992; never married.

     • Ivan Bradley Walker, born Aug. 14, 1949; married Marilyn Elaine Palmer (b. Dec. 20, 1950), Aug. 22, 1970.

     John Cicero Walker, Jr with daughters Judy and Linda

   • John Cicero Walker, Jr., born Aug. 4, 1922; married Reba Lee Hines (b. Aug. 14, 1926), July 15, 1947; Had three known children:
     • Judy Darlene Walker, born Feb. 17, 1949; married Eugene Patrick Sweeney (b. April 7, 1946), July 31, 1979.

     • Ronald Dean Walker, born July 15, 1955; never married.

     • Linda Jeanette Walker, born Mar. 25, 1961; married Brent Alan Davidson (b. April 1, 1959), Nov. 17, 1984.

     Clifford & Kathleen Walker with sons Ivan (top) & Larry

   • Ben Walker, born Nov. 24, 1924; died Mar. 19, 1980; married Vaughtie J. Mickey (b. April 18, 1922, d. May 18, 2018), Sept. 14, 1947; Two known children:
     • Phyllis Ann Walker, born May 27, 1950; married Jack Haynes (b. May 27, 1950), Sept. 20, 1977; live in Montrose, CO; Had two known children:
       1. Eric Haynes, married Rachael __?__.
       2. Sean Haynes, married Michelle __?__.

     • Benny Walker, born July 26, 1956; married Laura Jane Dorney, (b. Sept. 4, 1958), April 9, 1983; live in Fallston, MD; Had two known children:
       1. Craig Walker, married Alex __?__.
       2. Lauren Walker

   • Edna Ethelen Walker, born Jan. 17, 1928 in Weaver's Ford, NC; died Mar. 7, 2009 in Bel Air, MD; never married; buried at Bel Air Memorial Gardens in Bel Air, MD.

     Children of John Cicero Walker (l-r): Ben, Maxine, John Jr, & Clifford

   • Mary Lou Walker, born July 25, 1932; married Gale Roland Brown (b. Feb. 13, 1930), Sept. 21, 1950; Had three known children:
     • Tommy Gale Brown, born Dec. 1, 1951; died Dec. 3, 1951.

     • Pamela Jane Brown, born Mar. 2, 1955; married Melton McKenneth King (b. Sept. 18, 1953), July 1, 1977; Two children: Joshua McKenneth, born Sept. 16, 1990 and Jacob Ryan, born May 26, 1994.

     • Jeffery Alan Brown, born Aug. 15, 1967; married Cheri Lynn Tilton (b. Sept. 11, 1969), Oct. 9, 1993; Had one child: Zachary Alan, born June 4, 1996.

4. Clarence Eugene Walker, born Jan. 6, 1898; died Oct. 15, 1949; married Zella Arora McMillian (b. Sept. 11, 1905, d. Mar. 30, 1996), Nov. 29, 1921; Had five known children:

   Clarence Eugene & Zella Arora McMillian Walker with son Joe Kenneth

   • Algene Dorothy Walker, born Aug. 19, 1924; died Oct. 16, 2001; married James Church (b. May 6, 1921, d. June 1, 1995), April 20, 1946; Had two known children:
     • Martin Anthony (Tony) Church, born Feb. 14, 1949; married Barbara Lee Goodman (b. June 24, 1954), Feb. 10, 1973; one child: Heather, born Sept. 19, 1974.

     • Timothy (Tim) Len Church, born May 17, 1958; married Lesia Rose Poe (b. Nov. 14, 1960), June 24, 1984.

   • Fannie Maxine Walker, born Mar. 20, 1927; died July 23, 2011; married Okey Lenord Thomas (b. April 23, 1924), July 23, 1960; Maxine is buried at Senter Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Ashe Co., NC.

   • Jimmy D. Walker, born Mar. 20, 1927.

   • Wade W. Walker, born 1932; died 1933.

     Jeffery Walker

   • Joe Kenneth Walker, born April 1, 1938; married Ruth Griffith (b. Nov. 22, 1944), May 27, 1962; Two known children:
     • Jeffery Scott Walker, born Feb. 14, 1964; married Amy Laura Baker (b. Mar. 6, 1969), Aug. 3, 1990; currently live in Crumpler, NC.

     • Tammy Lynn Walker, born Sept. 20, 1968; married David Fox Lewis (b. Jan. 23, 1967), July 28, 1991.

5. Wirt Houston Walker, born June 2, 1900; died as an infant.

   James Dumah & Ollie Campbell Walker

6. James Dumah Walker, born Mar. 18, 1904; died July 3, 1985; married 1st (unknown); married 2nd Ollie Campbell; no children.

7. Challie Thomas Walker, born Apr. 17, 1905; died June 1, 1984; married Hazel Bernice Hash (b. Nov. 14, 1911, d. Sept. 1, 1993), Oct. 17, 1928; Three known children:

   • Billy Joe Walker, born July 24, 1929; married ?; Five known children:
     • Richard Walker
     • Dale Walker
     • Linda Walker
     • Darla Walker
     • Mark Robert Walker, married Virginia Lynn Wilson (d. June 19, 2018); Mark lives in Bel Air, MD; Had two known children:
       1. Elise R. Walker, married Michael Lepore Rosen; live in Farmington, CT.
       2. Victor G. Walker, lives in Providence, RI.

     Challie Thomas & Hazel Bernice Hash Walker

   • Thomas Charles Walker, Sr, born June 20, 1931; married Bertha Hess Stifler (b. Mar. 6, 1931), June 25, 1950; Three known children:
     • Thomas Charles Walker, Jr., born April 3, 1953; never married.

     • Phillip Colburn Walker, born Jan. 24, 1956; married 1st Lisa Weigman (b. 1958), Sept., 1975; divorced June, 1981; married 2nd Norma Paez (b, Oct. 25, 1950), Aug. 4, 1989.

       One known child by Lisa Weigman:

       1. Tanya Kristen Walker, born Mar. 14, 1976; married Michael C. Campbell (b. May 31, 1967), May 10, 1995; Had three known children:
          • Taylor Marie Campbell, born July 21, 1995.
          • Brandon Michael Campbell, born Jan. 29, 1998.
          • Faith Alexa Campbell, born Jan. 25, 2002.

       One known child by Norma Paez:

       1. Brian Weston Walker, born July 27, 1970; married Robien Colangelo (b. Jan. 14, 1977), Oct. 5, 2002.

     Artie, Edna, and Iola Walker

   • Shirley Walker, born Sept. 17, 1934; married Alex Porter Webb (b. April 7, 1931), April 3, 1950; Four known children:
     • William Dean Webb, born July 1, 1951; married Linda Miller (b. Nov., 1956), July 13, 1975.

     • Sharon Lynn Webb, born Dec. 7, 1952; married Calvin Eugene Dann (b. May 7, 1952), Mar. 5, 1972.

     • Charles Porter Webb, born Mar. 23, 1956; married Karma Truvell Lewis (b. May 3, 1968), June 18, 1988.

     • Douglas Edward Webb, born Sept. 4, 1963; died Aug. 2, 2000; never married.

8. Artie Gale Walker, born July 16, 1908; died as infant, or young child.

   Gwyn & Edna Ophelia Walker Blevins

9. Edna Ophelia Walker, born Sept. 22, 1909; died Feb. 20, 2003; married Gwyn William Blevins, Sr (b. May 12, 1912, d. Jan. 10, 1992), Dec. 1, 1934; Three known children:
   • Nancy Jean Blevins, born June 2, 1936; married DeLane Marlin Ryals (b. Oct. 19, 1936), Feb. 28, 1964; Two known children:
     • Nanette Joy Ryals, born Feb. 3, 1967; married Cary Daniel Ryan, Oct. 5, 1991; One known child:
       1. Daniel Lane Ryan, born July 2, 1995.

     • Jeanette Kaye Ryals, born Sept. 6, 1969; married Russell Curtis Massey, Aug. 3, 2002.

     Photo taken after the double wedding of sisters Iola and Edna Walker. (l-r) Gwyn & Edna Walker Blevins and Donald & Iola Walker Weaver

   • Gwyn William "Bud" Blevins, Jr., born June 12, 1941; married 1st Jeanette Green, April, 1960; divorced 1975/76; married 2nd Vickie Lee Middleton, Oct. 14, 1977; Two known children by Jeanette Green:
     • Michael William Blevins, born Nov. 6, 1960; married Cecelia ____?, 1993.

     • Scott Randolph Blevins, born July 23, 1962; married Sonnia Fitch, Sept. 21, 2002.

   • John Franklin Blevins, born May 30, 1949; married 1st Theresa Darlene Cox (b. July 22, 1953), June 20, 1972; divorced May 3, 1979; married 2nd Mary Florence Deickman (b. May 6, 1950), May 18, 1979; divorced (date unknown); married 3rd Debra Kay Dear (b. Sept. 21, 1952), July 22, 2001; Two known children by Mary Deickman:
     • Jason Travis Blevins, born Oct. 15, 1979; not married.
     • Ashley Brooke Blevins, born Mar. 30, 1982; not married.

   Donald Baker & Iola Mae Walker Weaver

10. Iola Mae Walker, born May 9, 1911; died Nov. 3, 2003; married Donald Baker Weaver, Sr. (b. Jan. 13, 1916, d. July 5, 1994), Dec. 1, 1934; Two known children:
    • Hope Ophelia Weaver, born Nov. 11, 1938; married Joseph Terrence Quinn, Sr. (b. Sept. 13, 1940), Jan. 30, 1960; Four known children:
      • Joseph Terrence Quinn, Jr., born Aug. 24, 1960; married Katherine Lynne MacEwen (b. Oct. 1, 1960), Sept. 20, 1986; Two known children:
        1. Allison MacEwen Quinn, born June 29, 1990.
        2. Steven MacEwen Quinn, born Sept. 30, 1993.

      • Barry Gene Quinn, born Sept. 15, 1961; married Cynthia Elizabeth Coen (b. Sept. 3, 1961), Mar. 28, 1981; Two known children:
        1. Angela Rose Quinn, born June 16, 1983.
        2. Amy Marie Quinn, born Dec. 24, 1984.

        Sisters Edna Walker Blevins and Iola Walker Weaver

      • Allen Ray Quinn, born Dec. 16, 1963; married Marianne Jean Wanushek (b. Nov. 21, 1965), Oct. 15, 1988; Two known children:
        1. Nichalus Allen Quinn, born June 23, 1991.
        2. Brianne Alexis Quinn, born June 29, 1997.

      • Christopher Brian Quinn, born Oct. 10, 1967; married Carle Ann Elstad (b. Sept. 20, 1975), Mar. 31, 2001; One known child:
        1. Erin Rebecca Quinn, born Aug. 29, 2001.

      Donald Weaver, Jr

    • Donald Baker Weaver, Jr., born Dec. 14, 1935; married Stella Coriene Peake (b. Jan. 13, 1934), Dec. 26, 1954; divorced June 15, 1959; married 2nd __?__, Dec., 1960; divorced June, 1966; married 3rd Melanie Honeycutt (b. Nov. 17, 1942), Dec. 19, 1966.
      One known child by Stella Coriene Peake:
      • Pamela Rae Weaver, born Dec. 8, 1955.

        Three known children by 2nd wife:

      • Robert Paul Weaver
      • Tammy Jo Weaver
      • Candy Weaver

        Three known children by Melanie Honeycutt:

      • Mark Ellington Weaver
      • Wendy Rebecca Weaver
      • Renee Elizabeth Weaver

Willis Milton & Sallie Anna Colvard Walker with children (l-r): Robie, John Cicero, and Ethel.

Information and most photos collected and submitted by Sandra Shepherd Blevins.