Dr. Walter Y. “Buddy” Walker, 86, of Huntsville passed away peacefully at home Tuesday. Dr. Walker was born in Huntsville to Dr. Herbert Carey Walker and Mary Elizabeth Yarbrough Walker Gesman. He was Valedictorian of the Huntsville High Class of 1952 and graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1956. He finished medical school at the University of Alabama in 1960. After completing an internship and residency in Birmingham, Dr. Walker spent two years in Vietnam as a Surgeon in the U.S. Army. He returned to Huntsville to start his medical practice as a General and Thoracic Surgeon in 1967 and retired in 1985. Dr. Walker enjoyed fishing, hunting, tennis and golf.
He was preceded in death by his son, Walter Y. “Buddy” Walker, Jr., brother, Carey Walker and niece Elizabeth “Libba” Walker. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Katherine “Taffy” Lowry Walker; son, Robert H. “Bob” Walker (Kimberly); grandchildren, Walter Walker, John Walker, Katherine Walker and Robert Walker; and great grandson, Walter Walker IV.
A graveside service will be at 3:00 p.m. Friday at Maple Hill Cemetery with Father Michael Goldsmith officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Church of the Nativity, Huntsville Hospital Foundation or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
