Steven "Walk" J. Walker

It is with a heavy heart that the family of Steven "Walk" James Walker announces his passing on July 11th, 2024 after a long battle with Cancer and MS.  Steve was born August 2nd, 1950 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, WI to Delos and Charlene Walker.  Steven graduated from Eau Claire Memorial High School in 1968.  As a child he also loved horses and horseback riding.  As a young man he was avid golfer, bowler, and broom baller.  Winning 2 Father/son city titles at the Eau Claire Country Club with his Father in golf, as well as 2 city championships with his team in broom ball. He was also high scorer of the league in broom ball in 1966.  Steve also had many high finishes in golf tournaments and leagues around the area as an individual.  He played High School football and Golf for the Old Abes.  As a fullback for the Old Abes, his football claim to fame was a newspaper picture of him pulling on a ref’s jersey to stay upright while a defender from the other team tried to tackle him.  In September 1969 he joined the U.S. Army Reserves and was honorably discharged in 1975.  In April of 1976 Steve married Jeannette “Jenny” Marie Schill of Wisconsin Rapids. They were married for 32 years until 2008.  In 1989 Steve and Jenny purchased Walkers Decorating Center from Steven’s father DeLos and ran the business together until its closing in 2003.  He then worked at Menards in Eau Claire for a few years until his MS diagnosis.  Steve and Jenny had 3 Children Lucas, Crystal, and Lincoln who played a major role his life. He loved nothing more then watching them compete in sports and excel in their lives. The family was involved in many sports especially baseball for the American Little League on Eau Claire’s south side. Steve was a life long dog lover, most recently with his Boston Terrier Lucy who he lost just over a year ago. In the 1990’s he also became involved in Greyhound racing because of his love of dogs.  He owned a few dozen greyhounds over the years which competed all over the country.  In his later years his greatest Joy was watching his grandkids play sports which was usually via the Gamechanger app from home. Always talking them up after watching a game and supporting them as much as possible.  He loved his Thursday coffee buddies.  He always said he was pretty sure they all told the same stories every week but were all too old to remember, and they all still laughed like it was the first time, every time.  Reading his daily newspaper was a must just like it was for his father before him.  He was also a lifelong Badger, Brewer, and Packer fan.  Rooting for them all through good years and bad. Steven was preceded in death by his Mother Charlene (Rushman) Walker, Father Delos Walker, brother Dan Walker and his Ex-Wife Jeannette Walker, along with his Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles.  Steven is survived by his 3 children: Luke (Ashley) Walker of Eau Claire, Crystal (Matthew) Bodden of Lakeville, MN, Lincoln (Christin) Walker of Eau Claire; Sisters Toni (Gary) Hirn of Chippewa Falls and Nancy (Greg) Pederson of Tilden and 6 grandchildren: Kashton, Finley, Chance, and London Bodden; Lake and Lyla Walker as well as many nieces and nephews. 

A Visitation will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church 1314 E Lexington Blvd, Eau Claire, WI Friday August 2nd 2024 from 9-11AM and services will be held the same day at 11AM with a luncheon to follow. Pastor Patrick Patterson will officiate the service.  A private Family Inurnment will take place later that day. To view the service virtually please use the link provided https://trinity-ec.org/.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Steven’s name to American Diabetes Association 2451 Crystal Drive Suite 900, Arlington, VA 22202 or at www.diabetes.org. 

Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com.

Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.  

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