Senate Resolution 18

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE OF WILLIE ROSS WALKER OF BLUE SPRINGS AND MARIETTA, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, Willie Ross Walker departed this life on Tuesday, January 15, 2002; and

WHEREAS, he was born March 7, 1931, unto Sanders and Lula Walker, was a member of the Red Hill M.B. Church in Blue Springs, Mississippi, and was a retired employee of Joyner-Fields Manufacturing in Sherman, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Willie was known to his friends as the "Bar-B-Que" Man, and was a frequent visitor to the New Capitol during the administration of Governor William Waller, and a friend to members of the Legislature; and

WHEREAS, Willie was employed for 25 years at Marietta Manufacturing Company, and according to Mr. A.J. Pitts, owner of the company, Willie was an outstanding employee, an exceptional man who was very well-liked by everyone who knew him: "He was a great man, an honest man, and was like a member of my family during the 25 years we worked together"; and

WHEREAS, survivors include his wife, Hattie D. Walker of Blue Springs; a daughter, Wanda Walker of Tupelo; a son, David Ross Walker and his wife, Brigitta; a special son, Jessie M. Bowen of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; two step-daughters, Phyllis Collins and her husband, Carl, and Sonya Birmingham of Tulsa, Oklahoma; three stepsons, Patrick Bell of Tupelo, Timothy Bell and his wife, Laura of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Darryl Bell of Chicago; two sisters, Sally Mae Ellis and her husband, Eddie of Memphis, and Linda Bell and her husband, George of Verona; five brothers, Sam Walker, John Walker and Henry Walker, all of Pontotoc, J.C. Walker and his wife, Josephine, and Lowell Walker, all of Tupelo; special friends, Lamar Standifer, A.J. Pitts, Bora McWhorter and Murdice McWhorter; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and seven step-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of our friend who was a respected citizen of his community and of the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life of Willie Ross Walker of Blue Springs and Marietta, Mississippi, and express the sympathy of the Legislature on his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the wife and surviving family of Mr. Walker, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.