Donal Ray Walker, age 88, of Gadsden, Alabama passed away on Friday, November 12, 2021. Donal was born September 23, 1933. The family will receive friends at Collier Butler Funeral Home Monday, November 15, 2021, evening from 5 until 7pm. The funeral service will beginning at 7pm after the visitation. Bro. Harold Daugherty will officiate. Burial with military rites will be at 10 AM Tuesday at New Bethel Cemetery in Collinsville. Collier Butler Funeral Home will direct services. Donal proudly served his country for 24 years during the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War. While in the service he lived overseas for 36 months and was stationed in Korea, Vietnam, Japan and Germany. He helped many young men joining the military with their expectations. His service continued as a Civil Servant at Anniston Army Depot until his retirement after 30 years service. Donal was also a great teacher at Gadsden Technical School and Gadsden State Community College where he taught Auto Body and Mechanics. He was a member of New Life COG serving in many roles throughout the years. He loved the Lord and expressed that love by giving to those in need or helping others by employing them. He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Cache, OK Masonic Lodge. He is preceded in death by his wife Kay F. Walker, daughter Tina M. Geckles, mother Oleta Crabtree, and father Cecil Roach. He is survived by his daughters Donna Jean (Billy) Billings, Mary Kay (Bill) Haynie, and Tonya L. (Wes) Leak; sons Gary A. Walker, James D. Walker, and Daniel T. (Tammy) Walker; 11 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; and many more extended family members and friends. Pallbearers will be Anthony Geckles, Joshua Geckles, Jacob Geckles, Jared Pendergrass, Wesley Leak and Bill Haynie. Special thanks to Cynthia Rakestraw, Hope Hospice, Gadsden Regional Home Health and Home Instead. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.collier-butler.com for the Walker family.
