Devoted Family Man
Joel Mitchell Walker, 73, died Sunday morning, June 8, 2003 at the University of Utah Medical Center, following a brief bout with cancer. He was surrounded by his family.
Joel was born June 6, 1930, in Clinton, Utah, to Golden Steed and Ada Mitchell Walker. He was the eldest of six children.
He is survived by sisters Edith Squires and JoAnn Gibson and brothers Lynn and Murray. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Merrill.
Joel's early years were spent in Clinton and Salt Lake City. He graduated from Cusick High School in Washington. He later returned to Salt Lake City where he met Eleanor Louise Young. They were married on May 19, 1951, and shared 52 happy years. Together they raised six children, whom he adored. The children and their spouses are Shannon and Mike Harding of Orem, UT; Rosalie and Les Gray of Stamford, CT; Carole and Nick Stokes of Boise, ID; Barbara and Kelan Silvester of Portland, OR; Alan and Toni Walker of West Valley City, UT; and Steven and Debbie Walker of Taylorsville, UT.
He was the beloved grandfather of 16 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Joel served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1953 and was stationed in Germany. He worked at Cudahy Meat Packing Company from 1950 to l965 and then went to work for Pacific Intermountain Express (P.I.E.) until his retirement in 1990.
A hard worker, he was valued for his skill and dependability.
Joel's interests were many and varied. He was a gifted mechanic and talented builder. He was well-read and had a wonderfully dry sense of humor. He enjoyed traveling to see his children and grandchildren and particularly enjoyed supporting their school and sporting events.
His kindness and loyalty are his legacy. Joel is loved and will be deeply missed.
A Graveside Service will be held Friday, June 13th at 11:00 a.m. at Redwood Memorial Mortuary and Cemetery, 6500 South Redwood Rd., West Jordan, where friends may call one hour prior to the service and on Thursday from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m.