Clyde S. Walker

On Tuesday, December 6, 1921 on a farm north of Latimer, Iowa Charles and Addie (Engebretson) Walker and their three daughters LaVera, Verda and Reuberta welcomed a baby boy into their family. He was named Clyde S. Walker. As a young boy the local milkman daily would ask his name and he would proudly declare "Clyde Sylvester Walker". The milkman would always reply "Oh! Johnny For Short". So for a while he was called "Johnny For Short". Later this was shortened to "Johnny" and that is how Clyde became known to some as "Johnny Walker". Clyde attended school at Richland Center Country School in rural Franklin County. He helped his dad on the farm as well as other local farmers until he decided to serve his country and enlisted in the Army. Clyde left for duty on September 2, 1942 and served in the European Theater. In North Africa on April 30, 1943 he was wounded in combat. While recuperating at an Army hospital he met a WAC name Bernice Long of Reading, Pennsylvania and introduced himself as Johnny Walker. When he was discharged from the Army in 1946 he was awarded the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon and the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon. Clyde and Bernice were married on May 7, 1946 in Charles City, Iowa and have celebrated 67 anniversaries. Bernice has always called him Johnny. Clyde was baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Reading, Pennsylvania. While living in Reading he worked for Luden's Candy making 5th Avenue Bars and Parish Pressed Steel making Buick car frames. Upon returning to Iowa he worked for Swift & Co. in Hampton until it closed. Maytag in Hampton became his place of employment for the next 28 years and Clyde retired in 1984. During his years at Maytag he built a three bedroom home completing it in 1959. In 1974 he started building another home across the street that he called his retirement home. He completed that home in 1975. Clyde designed and built both homes by himself. At that retirement home on March 22, 2014 with his wife and three children with him Clyde S. Walker, age 92, passed from this life and was joyfully reunited with his parents and sisters LaVera Bruns, Verda Meyer, Reuberta Kramer and infants, Delsie and Gracie who all predeceased him. Remaining here and who will be joining Clyde at a later date is his wife Bernice of Hampton, son Perry (Deb) Walker of Rural Franklin County, daughter Carolee (Dennis) Philpott of Hampton, son Tom (Shirley) Walker of Hampton, six grandchildren Rev. Shane Philpott, Amber Dean, Heath Walker, Shaun Walker, Brandon Walker and Randi Walker and fifteen great-grandchildren. Clyde was a wife's dream as he fixed anything and everything immediately. He performed all of his home repairs while keeping an immaculate lawn in the summer. He enjoyed woodworking and his garden, canning the produce himself. He loved his dog by his side and was often seen taking his dog for a ride in the car. Clyde (Johnny) Walker is loved.

Tributes

Clyde S. Walker

December 6, 1921 - March 22, 2014