Robert Bruce Walker (Plainview)

WWII Veteran, Robert Bruce Walker, 94, of Plainview, passed away on Sunday, December 12, 2010, at Runningwater Draw Care Center in Olton. Graveside services will be at 10:00 A.M., Thursday, December 16, 2010, at Plainview Cemetery. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 A.M., at Kornerstone Funeral Directors Chapel with Ed Hance officiating and Mary Walker Clark assisting under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Plainview. A visitation for family and friends will be from 6-8 P.M., Wednesday, December 15, 2010, at the funeral home. Bruce was born on April 30, 1916, in Hamlin, Texas, to Robert Emmett and Mary Etta Greenway Walker. They moved to Castro County in 1925, where they raised wheat. In 1929, they moved to Plainview to raise wheat and cotton. Bruce graduated from Plainview High School in 1933 and attended Wayland College for two years. On December 11, 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force and in 1945 was discharged as a Technical Sergeant in the 354th Fighter Squadron Group. In 1945, Bruce started farming in and around Hale County until retirement in 1974. In the early 1960’s, he served on the Soil Conservation District No. 132 and was selected the Most Outstanding Supervisor. It was during this time that several dams were approved and constructed along Runningwater Draw between New Mexico and Plainview to prevent flooding. He enjoyed traveling and took his 90 year old mother, along with other family members, to the Holy Land. Other travels included China, Russia and back to Europe to visit places he had seen during the war. Bruce married Donna Duckworth on July 5, 1946, in Lubbock. They were married 61 years until her death on May 3, 2007. He attended First Baptist Church and later Ninth & Columbia Church of Christ. He is survived by three sisters, Luci Nall of Plainview, Winnie Moore and Helen Walker of Lubbock; one sister-in-law, Marie (Mrs. Preston) Walker of Plainview; one daughter, Carolyn Hance and husband Ed of Tunis, Tunisia; two sons, Ron Walker and wife Sue Gabel of Boise, Idaho and John Dee Walker and wife Tara of Plainview; seven grandchildren, Zachary Walker and wife Nola of Boise, Idaho, Sarah Reese and husband Isaac of Boise, Idaho, Jennifer Hance Whitley and husband Ryan of Houston, Jonathan Hance of Los Angeles, California, Robert Hance and wife Lauren of Houston, Kayla Walker Voss and husband Dax of Lubbock and Jana Walker of Denver, Colorado; five great grandchildren, Xavier Reese and Hope Reese of Boise, Idaho, Molly Walker of Boise, Idaho, Allie Voss of Lubbock, and Magdalene Hance of Houston. Mr. Walker was preceded in death by his parents, Emmett and Mary Walker; his wife Donna, two brothers, Charles Walker and Preston Walker of Plainview and one sister, Linnie Rutledge of Bridge City. The family would like to thank special friends and caregivers, Marcella Durham, Maria, Juan, Terry and Leticia Zamora and Amanda Rogers for the care and compassion given to Bruce and his family. Thanks also to the staff at Runningwater Draw Care Center in Olton.