Harold Finus WALKER

WALKER, KEENER, SOMA, HALSNE, SPILLERS, HONEYCUTT, LEDFORD, HILL

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 12/6/2011 at 13:43:02

April 9, 1952 --- November 29, 2011

ALEXANDER, IA - Harold "Wayne" F. Walker, 59, a resident of rural Alexander, and father and grandfather of several Belmond and Ankeny area residents, died unexpectedly of natural causes, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, near Old Washington, Ohio. Funeral services will be Thursday, Dec. 8, 11 a.m. at Andrews Funeral Home, 516 First St. S.E., Belmond. Burial will be in the Belmond Cemetery in Belmond. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. at the Andrews Funeral Home and continues one hour prior to the services on Thursday. Those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial or card in Harold's name may wish to direct them to the family in care of Angie Soma, 415 Fourth Ave. N.E., Belmond, IA 50421.

Harold "Wayne" Finus Walker, the son of Charles M. and Mildred (Keener) Walker was born April 9, 1952, in Russellville, Ark. He grew up in the Russellville area and attended and graduated from Russellville High School. In earlier years of his life, Harold "Wayne" had worked at the Old South Restaurant in Russellville. He later worked for a time at United Hydraulics in Hampton. Harold, eventually commenced his life long career as a professional truck driver. For Harold, truck driving was not only his chosen livelihood, but something he was meticulously passionate about doing. He took great strides in being sure he was always on time or early to pick up, or deliver the wide variety of goods and materials to their destinations and was tireless and focused on the tasks of the trade. He had been employed by Latham Seed Company, Alexander; Schuster's, Inc., Lemars, and was currently employed by IMT Transport, Garner, for whom he was driving for at the time of his passing. Harold's passion for the road most likely could only be matched for his love of dirt track racing over the years. He truly enjoyed the competition of caring racing for many years, as his friends and family gathered to support and cheer him on tracks throughout the region including the Wright County Speedway and Hamilton County Speedway. He also looked forward to the adrenaline rush and excitement of competing in various Demo Derby's. Harold will be remembered by his family for always going that "extra mile" to get back home from wherever his trucking might take him for the special events, occasions, and activities his children and grandchildren may be participating in. He loved to tease them and share stories with them. Harold also looked forward to family gatherings with his siblings, mother,and extended family. He went to great lengths to care for the needs and necessities of his mother, Mildred, to whom he was very devoted. Harold was very meticulous and detail oriented when it came to maintaining his personal vehicles, his property, and the trucks her drove. His family mentioned the he had almost washed the paint off of his vehicles. Of course his vehicle brand of choice would most certainly have to be Chevy. Harold spent countless hours tinkering in his shop, working on his cars and equipment and inventing various items to make tasks easier. He loved music and looked forward to any opportunity that might include a chance to go dancing. Not being overly musically inclined himself, he did play a mean cowbell in his son-in-law's band, Whiskey Meltdown. Harold's grand kids will cherish memories of rides in grandpa's race cars, driving around on his ATV, and tooling about on his lawn tractor. They will miss his special gifts of money at Christmas and on other special occasions. His girl's will miss dad's voice checking in by phone from the road to see what his family was up to and often just calling to talk with them while passing time as the countless miles passed under the wheels of his semi tractor.

Harold's memory will be carried on in the hearts and minds of his daughters, Angela (Kevin) Soma and their children, Mariah, Trevor, and Morgan Soma, all of Belmond; Crystal (James) Halsne and their children, Brinna and Clayton Halsne, all of Ankeny; his mother, Mildred Spillers, Dover, Ark.; brothers, Gene (Rita) Walker, Calif., Bill (Margie) Walker, Dover, Ark.; sister, Linda Honeycutt, Dover, Ark.; brothers, Bobby (Dorothy) Walker, Dover, Ark, and Tommy (Dorothy) Walker, Russellville, Ark.; and multiple nieces and nephews. Harold was preceded in death by his father, Charlie, a sister, Lillie Mae Ledford, and a sister, Kathy Hill. Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, Iowa.

Mason City Globe Gazette - Iowa
December 6, 2011