Graham "Bud" Walker
Graham Brown "Bud" Walker passed away peacefully with his wife of 71 years by his side, in Snellville, Georgia, on November 4, 2022. He was 93 years old.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Clyde Walker and Leila Heitzman Walker, and siblings William Clyde Walker, Jr., and Evelyn Joyce Walker Gould.
Graham is survived by his wife, Laura Jeanne Francisco Walker, and children, Graham Brown Walker, Jr. (Mimi), Laura Susan Walker (Carol), David Marshall Walker (Susan), and Amy Walker Coleman (Jim), along with seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Born in Louisville, Ky., on Jan. 16, 1929, Graham grew up in Orlando, Fl., graduating from Orlando High School in 1947. He graduated from the Florida State University School of Business, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Accounting in 1951. While at FSU he served as an officer in the international business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi. He served in the U.S. military’s Army Audit Agency in Atlanta and Chattanooga during the Korean War. Afterwards, he and Jeanne lived in Orlando, rearing their four children, and serving through various leadership roles at the First Baptist Church. Graham served faithfully as Sunday School teacher, Deacon, Training Union Director, and sang in the church choir. Graham and his parents established the Walker and Walker accounting firm, with offices in Orlando and Titusville.
In 1969, he and his wife became Southern Baptist missionaries. For 28 years they lived and served the people of Singapore, sharing their lives and faith with many. Graham’s business training and experience led to his role as the Business Manager and Treasurer for the Malaysia-Singapore Baptist Mission and Foreign Mission Board business representative in southeast Asia with responsibilities including his service as Chairman of the Board for the Bangalore Baptist Hospital in India and Chairman of the Building and Finance Committee for this hospital. His work with the hospital helped to create the first modern hospital in Bangalore, which helped to transform healthcare for that region. His greatest joy was in ministering to individuals and families.
He and Jeanne retired from missionary service in 1998. Since then, they have lived in Longwood, Fl., Chattanooga, Tn., and most recently, Atlanta, Ga. Graham loved generously, lived courageously, laughed heartily, and followed his God faithfully all the days of his life.
The Walker family is thankful for the staff, caregivers and community of The Sheridan at Eastside and Capstone Hospice.
A memorial service celebrating the life of Graham B. Walker will be held at the Church at Ponce and Highland, 1085 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 at 1 pm ET on December 28, 2022.
In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates your donations in honor of his life in his name to the Erlanger Health System Foundation.
A very special thank you to Dr. Nathan Hartgrove, Linda and his office for the amazing care he received in Chattanooga.