Howard G Walker, among the last members of the greatest generation, was born in Vernal, Utah September 7, 1922 to George F. Walker and Rose Richardson Walker. He passed peacefully through the veil on February 4, 2022 with family members by his side.

One of ten children, five boys and five girls, he was the third son and the seventh child. He is survived by a sister Marva Lent, sister-in-law Lila (Faron) Wilkins, brother-in-law Edgar Wilkins as well as his children; H. Blaine (Hilea), Mark G., Russell V. (Laurie), Valerie (Blaine) Bushell, Allen R. (April), Connie Stallone (Michael McKenna, MD), son-in-law Bruce D. (Jennifer) Jones and Angela (Don) Conley. He is also survived by grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren numbering more than one hundred and ten.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 76 years, Verla Merle Wilkins, his parents, his brothers Frank, John, Ralph, and Don and his sisters Meda Walker, Elizabeth Noel, Lois Erickson and Carol Rae Brady; daughters Tamera Jones, Beverly Wayne and grandchildren Ryan Blaine Walker, Bradley M. Walker, Brandon G Walker and Jennifer Wayne.

While on military leave, he and Verla were married for time and eternity on July 21, 1943 in the Logan Utah LDS Temple. They then began their married life in Louisiana where Howard attended Officer Candidate School in preparation for an overseas war assignment.

During World War II, Howard served in France until the German surrender and then was transferred to Japan where he served with occupation forces after Japan’s surrender. Upon his release from active duty, he continued in the Utah Army Reserves where he retired after 20 years as a Major.

Howard was a member of the 1939-1940 Uintah High School state championship basketball team and also played on their six man football team. Years later, he played in a basketball league in Salt Lake City. Growing up on a farm, he learned hard work, honesty, and respect for others. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had a great love for his Savior. He and Verla taught their children to be faithful, to work hard, to be honest in their dealings with others, to be good citizens and above all, to love their family and friends. He enjoyed games and competitions and as much as playing, even more, he loved to win!

After World War II, Howard returned to Vernal where he owned and ran a Spudnut shop and a roller skating rink. However a job offer in Salt Lake City prompted a move for his young family to the Big City and a new job at Hi-Land Dairy. Prior to his military service, he had attended BYU where he learned bookkeeping, a skill which landed him the job of office manager at Hi-Land. He eventually served on the Board of Directors, became the President of Hi-land Securities and helped establish the Hi-land Credit Union. After the merger of Hi-Land, Cream O’ Weber and Upper-Snake Dairies, he left and began a new career in real estate.

Active in his church, Howard served in Bishoprics, High Councils and also as the Bishop of the Holladay First Ward where he was responsible for overseeing the raising of funds for the building of a new chapel. Into their nineties, Howard and Verla served in the St. George LDS temple. Service was the point of their lives. Their children and grandchildren have many memories of the help and encouragement they received and the service and support provided by Howard and Verla in times of need.

The Walker family wishes to express their appreciation for the care and attention Howard received from the staff at Spring Gardens Senior Living in Lindon, Utah during his last months.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday February 12, 2022 at 11:00 am In the LDS Granite Ward located at 9575 South 3100 East, Sandy, Utah. A viewing/visitation from 10:00 - 10:45 am may be attended prior to the service.

Interment will follow at 3:00pm at the Midway Cemetery, 600 West 500 South, Midway, Utah and

Military Honors will be provided by the Utah National Guard.

For those who would like to attend the service virtually, a Zoom account is necessary to do so. If you do not have a Zoom account, you can set up a free account at zoom.us

Once a Zoom account is established you may watch the service by clicking the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84240354789

Services

Visitation

Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Granite Ward Chapel
9575 South 3100 East
Sandy, UT 84092

Funeral Service

Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Granite Ward Chapel
9575 South 3100 East
Sandy, UT 84092

Graveside Service

Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Midway City Cemetery
600 West 500 South
Midway, UT 84049

Services Handled By

Larkin Sunset Gardens
1950 E 10600 S
Sandy, UT

Life Story Info

Post Date

Feb 10, 2022

Personal Info

Age

99
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