Walker

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Willie Winnifred “Freddie” Walker Jr., 70, of St. Marys died Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at Southeast Georgia Health Systems of Brunswick.

Born July 26, 1949 in Screven, Georgia, Willie Winnifred Walker Junior (Freddie) grew up in Pierce County until the age of 13 when he relocated to St. Marys.

After spending his teenage years harassing the residents of Bishop Circle (along with his cohorts who will not be named to protect the guilty), he eventually went to Middle Georgia College to perfect his prank pulling prowess before returning home to work at the Gilman bag plant.

In November of 1971, Deby Walker embraced the challenge of wrangling this lead-footed heart throb. But the ball and chain of marriage did not slow this fella down. Although he was a kept man, he kept on fishin’, kept on shrimpin’, kept on fixin’ cars and kept on drag racing down what is now Interstate 95.

This member of the 1967 championship football team decided to impart his pig skin wisdom with the youth of Camden County. Coaching for close to two decades, Coach Freddie made more boys puke on the sidelines and run to make weight than any other coach in recorded history. And he loved every minute of it.

Freddie was working on the railroad all the live long day, more than 30 years, for Gilman Paper Company while raising three youngins. Freddie faithfully served his savior first at Westside Baptist Church and then at Point Peter Baptist Church. Always supportive of his wife and kids, he adapted to whatever the circumstance needed. Ballgame commentator, pool pump repair man, stroke and turn judge, competition cheer photographer, basketball coach (although he did get ejected at least once). Freddie was an excellent athletic supporter!

After becoming a grandfather, Freddie found himself serving Jesus in the nursery at Point Peter Baptist Church. Partially because he had high maintenance grandkids and partially because at least one of their moms was neurotic. He stayed in the nursery for 12 years where he became church papa to dozens more kiddos.

He loved to travel and tell people about Jesus. Whether on the boat or in the RV, spreading the love of Jesus was Freddie’s favorite thing. When cancer stole his vocal cords, it only amplified his voice. He knew the secret to being content in every situation and he wanted everyone else to know to.

He is preceded in death by his father, Willie W. Walker Sr. and Emmaline Walker; his mother, Norine C. Lynn and W.B. “Brian” Lynn; a daughter, Katherine Ann Walker; his mother-in-law, Betty Jo Mauldin Toliver; and a brother-in-law, William Michael Bennett.

Mr. Walker is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Deby Walker of St. Marys; three children, Kelsey Walker of St. Marys, Kristi Perkins (husband Adam) of St. Marys and Willie W. Walker III “Tripp” (wife Dana) of Henderson, Nevada; seven grandchildren, Mia Galaviz, Winter Perkins, Willow Perkins, Eowyn Galaviz, Walker Perkins, Willie W. Walker IV and Owen Walker; siblings, Marcelle Bennett of Harrietts Bluff, Roy Evan Walker of Patterson, Georgia, and Brenda Walker; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at Point Peter Baptist Church. The family will be receiving friends beginning at noon at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Baptists for Haiti, PO Box 1163, Leesburg, GA 31763.

Allison Memorial Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.