Wally Walker

BERT WALLACE  "WALLY"  WALKER
January 29, 1934                March 27, 2021
"What we have once loved, we can never lose.  All that we love dearly becomes a part of us."

It is with a very heavy heart that we announce that Bert Wallace  "Wally"  Walker passed away on Friday, March 27th, 2021, surrounded by the love of his family.
Wally was born on January 29, 1934 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, to Bert and Erma Walker.  He attended Central and Elmwood Schools and the SCCI.  It was during these formative years that Wally began his lifelong interest in sports.   He played and excelled in hockey, baseball, basketball, track and field, and curling.  Music was also a big part of those early years when he played the trumpet in the SCCI band under the direction of Charlie Warren. Wally was a strong academic student who also participated in drama productions, creative writing contests, and student council.
From 1952 to 1955, Wally attended the University of Saskatchewan, College of Commerce, where he continued his love of hockey playing for the U of S Huskies.  He declined an invitation to the Toronto Maple Leafs' training camp that fall, however he might have accepted if it had been to the Montreal Canadiens camp!!!!!!  He served as President of the College of Commerce, was a member of the Men's Intramural Athletic Board, and the Commerce Volleyball team.  The University Huskies team competed in several tournaments including one in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
He also made many life-long friends, two of which were Scotty Cameron and Bill Pringle. 
Following graduation, Wally accepted a position with Crown Zellerback Lumber in New Westminster, BC. But, after 18 months he returned to Swift Current to work with his father and brother, Jim, in the family business, Thompson Auto Supplies.  Wally continued his involvement in sports by playing hockey with the Swift Current Indians and softball with the Swift Current Merchants. Wally was on the committee to bring the WHL hockey team to Swift Current and has been a season ticket holder ever since its founding in 1967 and its return in 1986.  He also served on the Swift Current Broncos Board of Directors for most of this period.   In 1985, he received the Saskatchewan Order of Merit awarded for excellence, achievement, and contribution.
Wally enjoyed his association with Kiwanis and the friendships that developed; he was involved in curling, and minor hockey for 25 years, which led to his induction into the Saskatchewan Amateur Hockey Hall of Fame.  Wally was also a longtime season ticket holder and supporter of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Wally was predeceased by his father-in-law Bill Smith in 1964, his mother Erma in 1984, his father Bert in 1991, his brother-in-law Bill Smith Jr. in 1992, his brother Jim in 2005, his sister-in-law Carole Walker in 2008, his mother-in-law Georgina Smith in 2014 and his brother-in-law John Jensen in 2016.
Wally is survived by his loving wife, Shirley, to whom he was married for 63 years, their children, Kent, his wife Patsy, their children, Bryan, (Morgan Thurlow), Zach, (Laurel Beattie); Doug, his wife Marlen, and their children, Benjamin, Jeff, his wife Charlotte; Joan, her husband Richard, their children Mitchell, (Jen McFadyen), Caroline; Karen, her husband Ryan, their children, Kate and Kyla.    He is also survived by his in-laws Mel and Nancy Smith, Laurel Kimmitt, Bryan Smith, Nola and Tom Snell, Connie Jensen, Kathy Smith and all his wonderful nieces and nephews.  
Surviving also are his special Walker nieces, Leslie and Mike Beitel and Susan Walker and Max Hyde and their families.
For those who knew Wally, no words are necessary, for those who didn't know Wally, no words are sufficient.  He was a kind and generous man who thought of others, a real gentleman of character who believed in honesty, integrity, and sportsmanship, accompanied by a sense of humor and community involvement. 
He was immensely proud of his children and grandchildren, of their achievements and values. They were his number one interest and joy.
A closed funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 from First United Church with Rev. Annette Taylor officiating, Joan Williamson will be the pianist and Luanne Schultz the soloist.
Honorary Pallbearers are Bryon Campbell, Herb Butz, Dwayne Dekowny, Larry Jensen, Frank MacBean, Gerry Salter, Greg Smith and Art Stensen.
Pallbearers are his grandchildren:  Ben Walker, Jeff Walker, Bryan Walker, Zach Walker, Mitchell Bartrem, Kate McGill. Caroline Bartrem and Kyla McGill.  The livestreaming link for the service will be on  swiftcurrentonline and warrensfuneralhome.com. 
For friends and family so wishing a charitable donation can be made in Wally’s memory to:
The Swift Current Broncos Hockey Club / Education Fund. 
Warren's Funeral Home were entrusted with the arrangements. For further information call 306-773-8831 or 1-800-267-6606 or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy on the family tribute wall.

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