Funeral services for Duane Walker, 78, of Purcell were held Friday, October 25, 2019 at the Union Hill Baptist Church. Interment was at Hillside Cemetery in Purcell under the direction of the Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Purcell.
Mr. Walker passed away Monday, October 21, 2019, at the Norman Veterans Center.
Billy Duane Walker was born December 6, 1940 in Purcell, Oklahoma. His parents were James William Walker and Myrtle Beatrice (Roath) Walker. He was raised in Purcell and attended Purcell Schools, graduating with the Class of 1959.
Duane then answered the call to serve his country and joined the United States Army. He was a true Patriot, and served with honor, and his time spent in the Army led to a long and distinguished career in both the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard.
Duane was never one to shy from taking chances. And one night, at Don’s Dairy Mart in Purcell, he met a young lady named Betty Aline Swafford and this would change his life forever. They fell in love and were married April 15, 1967, at the First Baptist Church in Purcell. Together they raised daughter, Michele and son, Clint.
Duane continued to serve in the Guard, and at the same time worked for the United States Postal Service. He was community minded and stayed active wherever needed. Duane coached little league, was a substitute teacher and volunteered on the chain gang for Dragon Football games. He served on both Purcell School Board and the Rural Water Board, and volunteered for Operation Christmas for several years.
Duane was a man of great faith and served the Lord faithfully. He taught Sunday school at First Baptist Purcell and for the last several years, he served at Union Hill Baptist Church where he built churches with the Union Builders and served as a door greeter for many, many years. Duane was a wonderful husband and father, brother and a good friend. He will be dearly missed!
He was preceded in death by his parents, James “Pa Jim” and Myrtle Walker; grandson, Jesse Walker Moore; sister Pat Dean and brother, John Paul Walker.
Duane is survived by his loving and faithful wife, Aline, of the home; daughter Michele Moore (Eddie) of Yukon; son, Clint Walker (Will) of Norman; sister, Karen Wigley of Purcell and a host of other family and friends.
Online condolences may be made at wilsonlittle.com.
