Charles A. Walker Sr.

Charles A. Walker was born on November 30, 1921 in Nashville, Tennessee to Horace and Lennie Walker. The youngest child, he had an older sister Mildred. The family lived in Nashville, Tenn., then Wheeling, West Virginia during his teenage years. Then the family traveled across the Ohio River and lived in Bridgeport, Ohio. He was an active member of Simpson United Methodist Church, Wheeling WVA, and the family sang in the choir. Charles attended school in Wheeling, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1940. Hobbies included playing the saxophone. One of his goals was to play in a jazz band. He enrolled in West Virginia State College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. While in college he was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Tau Chapter. Charles served in the military, Army World War II, and received service medals. After serving his country, he returned to Bridgeport, Ohio where he met and fell in love with Lillie Ware. They were married March 25, 1951. From this 44 year marriage there were three children, Charles Jr, Carolyn and Earl. They lived in Washington DC briefly, then Pittsburg, PA where Charles worked for the government before moving to Cleveland in the mid to late 50's. In Cleveland, Ohio he was employed as a driver for Eddie Painton Excavating Co. and then became a salesman at Markad Motors 13219 Superior and Euclid Cleveland 44112. On October 25, 1960 he started working at Spitzer Ford E. 106th and Chester as a salesman and eventually was the finance manager in East Cleveland and Mentor locations starting in the 70's. Charles retired in 1992 after 32 years of service. While there he received numerous salesmanship awards. He was known as "Charlie" by many. After leaving Spitzer Ford, he tried to enjoy his hobbies but always missed his sales work. Charles' hobbies were working, football, he loved the Cleveland Browns, golf, crossword puzzles and music. He especially loved jazz and country western music. He would spend hours listening to his music collection. Charles passed away peacefully on June 25, 2009 at the Hospice of the Western Reserve. He leaves to mourn his passing his children, Carolyn and Earl; niece Lennie Alexander; stepsister Amanda Gray and a host of cousins, other relatives and many cherished friends. Charles is preceded in death by his parents, Lennie and Horace Walker; step mother, Sarah Walker; son, Charles Jr.; wife, Lillie Mae and sister Mildred Alexander.