James Walker

James L. "Jim" Walker, age 80, of Richland, MI died Sunday, September 17, 2017. Jim was born January 31, 1937 in Richland to Frank and Mabel (Barker) Walker. He attended Richland Agricultural School until 1954. Jim never met a stranger and talked to everyone. He played fast pitch softball with the Rorick Bros. team and was noted for his bunting and running abilities. Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1960 and was in the reserves until 1966. He retired from MDOT after approximately 30 years of service. Jim's hobbies were golf (watching and playing), listening to country and gospel music, coffee from McDonalds and doughnuts from Hardings. On January 22, 1960, he married Joyce Bryant, who survives. Also surviving is a son, Steve (Carol) Walker of Parchment; grandchildren, Rachel (Josh) Penny of Germany, Alex (Ashleigh Carr) and Ashley Walker of Parchment; sisters-in-law, Florence Boekeloo of N.M. and Carolyn (Skip) Snyder of Shelbyville; and many nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jasper and Gerald Walker and two brothers-in-law, Kenneth Bryant and Claude Boekeloo. Jim's biggest thrill was taking his grandchildren on trips and just being with them. He truly loved spending time with his grandchildren, Steve and Carol and all his family. Friends will be received Tuesday, September 19, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel, where funeral services to celebrate Jim's life will be Wednesday, September 20 at 11:00 a.m. Interment with military honors will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery. Those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider the Hospice of Southwest Michigan.